Peyton Manning to New York Jets Would End Mark Sanchez's Career

If the New York Jets land Peyton Manning in free agency, the Mark Sanchez era is over and the much-maligned signal caller from USC may be on his way out of the NFL.

There might just be a strong possibility of that happening, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN:

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"The Jets are interested in Manning, who was released Wednesday by the Colts, and they will explore the possibility of signing him, sources said. They want to gauge Manning's interest in them, his contract demands and the health of his surgically repaired neck."

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Even Sanchez’s current teammates aren’t supportive of the incumbent QB in New York:

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"I do know one thing: This is a good fit for him [Peyton Manning]," Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson told the NFL Network Wednesday. "The Jets already have a very good offensive line, a good receiving corps – obviously headed by Santonio Holmes, Dustin Keller at tight end. This is a team that, offensively, they run the ball really well. This is a team that if they get Peyton Manning, that division it could be scary." 

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If Sanchez, who has led the Jets to two AFC Championship Games in his three years in the NFL, doesn’t even have the trust of those guys, it’s doubtful he’ll be able to earn some from another franchise.

It’s also highly questionable he would even remain with New York if they sign Manning. Cimini reports that the 25-year-old QB would count as $14.3 million against the cap this season, and it would be insane for the team to keep both him and Manning.

There are a lot of hurdles that Rex Ryan’s team must jump through if they want to land the former Colts legend, but it’s certainly not impossible, and they have just a good a chance as anyone in the league of doing so right now.

If they get it done and Sanchez is cut, it’s going to be tough for him to find another starting job in the league. If he does, he will have to quickly prove his two years of success weren’t a product of a tremendous defense and a strong running game.

Should he fail to do that, Sanchez might just find himself as a career backup and possibly out of the league, in short order.