The New York Jets will see more than one familiar quarterback face on Sunday.
As Geno Smith comes to MetLife Stadium to take on his old team, Mark Sanchez has the call of the Jets game on FOX along with Adam Amin.
Visit our New York Jets News page to stay updated on the latest happenings.
It is only the second time Sanchez will call a Jets game since he became a FOX analyst in 2021. The first was the Jets-Eagles matchup in Week 6 of last season when the Jets pulled out a 20-14 upset, spearheaded by Tony Adams’ late interception of Jalen Hurts.
Sanchez definitely displayed a Jets bias in that game, especially when A.J. Brown made a toe-tap catch on the sideline which appeared to be complete. Sanchez insisted the pass was incomplete.
However, the broadcasting highlight of the game had to be this epic line from Sanchez.
“They can’t get this guy to the turf. Jalen Hurts, what is he? Like a salmon covered in Vaseline, bro, this guy’s just too slippery! He refuses to go down! He’s got this incredible contact balance, like, as soon as he gets hit, he just drops his ankle, and (the Jets’ defense) has a chance there, too. Jalen Hurts is making plays. This is just some backyard football, if you’re asking me.”
Sanchez has gotten himself in trouble with some other remarks in the past, but this one should enter the broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Sanchez, the No. 5 overall pick in 2009, and Smith, a second-round pick by the Jets in 2013, overlapped in their Jets careers in the infamous 2013 season. While the pair were battling for the starting quarterback job, Sanchez separated his shoulder in the third quarter of the final preseason game against the Giants.
Sanchez missed the whole season, leaving Smith the uncontested starting job. Smith led the Jets to an 8-8 record, although he threw just 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions with a 66.5 quarterback rating.
In the end, both quarterbacks became busts in New York. Unlike Sanchez, though, Smith has revived his career over the past three seasons with Seattle.
While Sunday’s game means little to them other than maintaining dignity, it’s an important contest for Smith and the Seahawks. The Seahawks (6-5) currently hold first place in the NFC West after taking down the Cardinals last week, but the pair have the same record. The Rams and 49ers are just one game behind at 5-6. Every game is critical for Seattle.
The Jets hope to give one old quarterback something to smile about while ruining the other’s day.
