New York Jets: Ranking the 5 best quarterbacks in team history

Feb 4, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; NFL legend Joe Namath arrives on the red carpet prior to the 6th Annual NFL Honors at Wortham Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; NFL legend Joe Namath arrives on the red carpet prior to the 6th Annual NFL Honors at Wortham Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Aug. 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) calls out a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
Aug. 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) calls out a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Mark Sanchez (2009-12)

I know what you’re thinking. “Are you kidding me? Mark Sanchez? C’mon, really?” Yes, indeed, Mark Sanchez. The author of the Butt Fumble, one of the most infamous plays in Jets history. The “Sanchize” gets the slight nod over Richard Todd because he led Gang Green to two consecutive AFC title contests (2010, 2011) and his playoff game stats are really pretty impressive.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Take at look at these numbers: In six playoff games the USC product owns a 4-2 record and has nine touchdown passes and just three interceptions. Those are actually some of the best numbers in franchise history. Sanchez completed 60.5 percent of his passes in those playoff contests and owned a rating of 94.3. Not bad at all.

With that being said, the former first-round draft selection (fifth overall in 2009) never lived up to expectations. Expectations are through the roof when you’re drafted that high. His regular season stats are rather mundane — 68 touchdowns and 69 interceptions with a completion percentage of just 55.1 percent in 62 games.

He’ll always be remembered for the Butt Fumble, and that’s a shame because the Long Beach, CA native was one of the premier playoff signal-callers in Jets history.