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Chicago Bears: Will Mark Sanchez return as backup quarterback?

By David Mamola

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Sanchez of the Chicago Bears looks on during warm ups before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 26, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Sanchez of the Chicago Bears looks on during warm ups before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 26, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Mark Sanchez might be the best backup quarterback option the Chicago Bears have in the 2018 season.

The Chicago Bears will head into the 2018 season with Mitchell Trubisky as their starting quarterback. After a solid rookie season, a lot is expected from Trubisky in his second year. A Carson Wentz or Jared Goff-like jump is possibly in the cards.

Hopefully the backup quarterback will never see the field in 2018, but just in case he does, who will it be? Mike Glennon is a lock to be cut, and Mark Sanchez is a free agent. The Bears could draft a quarterback in the later rounds of April’s NFL Draft, but it’s not a great idea to have a rookie backing up a second-year quarterback.

Ideally, the Bears bring in a veteran backup through free agency that can play in an emergency situation, but who can also help mentor Trubisky and add something in the quarterbacks’ meetings. It wouldn’t be an awful move if the Bears brought Sanchez back next season, as he seems to have a good rapport with Trubisky and did not complain about not appearing in a game this past year.

Other potential options in free agency could be Jacksonville’s Chad Henne, Arizona’s Drew Stanton, or New Orleans’ Chase Daniel, who has experience playing under Matt Nagy. The potential list isn’t great, and it’s highly unlikely the Bears pay big money to sign a player who (hopefully) plays only a handful of snaps.

Given the alternatives, Mark Sanchez might be the best bet. Say what you want about him, but he led the New York Jets to two AFC Championship games and he has a career record of 37-35. He made $2 million in 2017, so he wouldn’t force the Bears to break the bank to re-sign him.

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And let’s be honest: if a team is forced to play any backup quarterback for a significant length of time, the season likely won’t go anywhere anyways. If Sanchez works well with Trubisky, why not bring him back? Honestly, he might be the best option the Bears have.

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