2012 NFL Free Agency: Chad Henne Hardly an Upgrade over Mark Sanchez for Jets

Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne is poised to hit the free-agent market in a few weeks, and word is that he might reunite with his former head coach, Tony Sparano, with the New York Jets. Sparano was recently hired by the Jets as the team's offensive coordinator, and he has a long-standing relationship with the Michigan product.

Most view Henne as the kind of guy who could come in and push an incumbent starter to be better, and if that's what the Jets would be thinking by bringing him on, it might be a good thing. But expecting him to supplant Mark Sanchez under center for the team would be a mistake.

Henne is a serviceable NFL quarterback, no better. And he certainly isn't an upgrade over Sanchez. 

In his four seasons of professional football, Henne has played in 36 games and completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 7,114 yards, 31 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. His career quarterback rating is 75.7, which is well below average. 

The 26-year-old Henne might make a solid backup, but he won't be any better than Sanchez and could actually be decidedly worse. 

The Jets have been rumored to be looking for another quarterback to add to the roster. While Henne might have some value, he's not worth a lot of money or years, and he would have to know that he is coming in to be a backup. Otherwise, it could create tension in an already-messy situation in the Jets locker room. 

Chad Henne will likely be looking for a chance to start somewhere in the NFL when free agency opens on March 13. He won't be able to get that opportunity with the Jets.