Could Sanchez become the next Eli Manning?

As the New York Jets fall out of contention for the playoffs this year, you can’t help but think about Mark Sanchez’s future with the team. Due to his poor production this year, he has led the Jets to a 6-8 record and is now being replaced for the remainder of the season by third string quarterback Greg McElroy. This replacement is also a slap in the face to Tim Tebow, but that’s beside the point. Sanchez is being ripped to shreds for his awful play the past two seasons but as New Yorkers, have we seen this before?

Years ago, our very own Eli Manning, did not get off to the best start to his career. In fact, in his first four seasons he had similar numbers to Mark Sanchez’s career (four seasons).

Sanchez has passed for 11,887 with 68 touchdowns and 68 interceptions and helped the Jets reach the AFC Championship game in his first two seasons as a pro. In Eli’s first four seasons, he passed for less yards, 11,385, but threw for a better touchdown/interception ratio with 77/64. Even though Eli has always seemed to have a more promising career since he was drafted, he had his Sanchez moments in his early years.

As faith would have it, Eli went on to win the Super Bowl at the end of his fourth season and has showed no signs of slowing down ever since. He has greatly progressed and has truly become an elite quarterback when he won his second Super Bowl ring. Since 2010, it seems as though Sanchez has regressed mightily.

I am in no way saying that Sanchez could ever amount to what Eli has become, but stranger things have happened. If I were the Jets, I would let him finish the season out and give him one more shot at leading this team next year. If he is used properly and has the help of a surrounding cast, he could be extremely valuable. If they let him go, they may regret not giving him that last chance. After all, one man’s trash could become another man’s gold.