With Alex Smith out for the season following a gruesome leg fracture, the Washington Redskins are signing veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez, according to ESPN's Field Yates.
Sanchez will back up fellow veteran QB and career journeyman, Colt McCoy, giving Washington head coach Jay Gruden much-needed depth as the Redskins try to retain their lead on the NFC East.
The 32-year-old Sanchez is best remember for his five-year tenure with the New York Jets. He led them to consecutive AFC Championship Games in his first two NFL seasons, but things imploded from there.
Sanchez regressed rapidly over the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and it eventually led him to losing the starting job in 2013. Fans, of course, will recall the infamous 'Butt Fumble' play during a 2012 Thanksgiving game against the New England Patriots - which unfortunately summed up the bulk of Sanchez's career in New York.
After being released by the Jets, Sanchez signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and spent two seasons there. Sanchez would make 10 starts over a two-year span, before moving to the Denver Broncos - who cut him before the 2016 season started.
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Sanchez then backed up Dak Prescott in Dallas, but saw very little playing time for the Cowboys in 2016. He joined the Chicago Bears and backed up Mitch Trubisky last season, but Sanchez didn't play at all.
What This Means
McCoy played well in relief of Smith on Sunday, completing six passes for 54 yards and one touchdown. He nearly led Washington to a win over the Houston Texans, who have now won seven in a row.
As Yates noted, McCoy will be the starter in Washington from here on out. But if he struggles, Gruden at least has a veteran backup that can come off the bench in relief. He has the depth as Washington looks to secure its first playoff berth since 2015.
Sanchez won't see playing time in Washington unless McCoy gets injured or simply struggles offensively. But judging by his effort on Sunday, McCoy doesn't look like somebody who's ready to relinquish the starting duties.