Mark Sanchez has finally been released by the New York Jets, and teams reportedly in the mix to chase after the quarterback have already filled that void.
The Oakland Raiders acquired Matt Schaub from the Houston Texans, and the Texans then signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. So where does that leave Sanchez?
According to USA TODAY Sports, the Rams are interested in the former No. 6 overall pick. What level of interest remains unknown, but head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed the team is weighing its options for a backup quarterback behind Sam Bradford.
“I’d say that there is interest. I can’t say how much. But there certainly would be interest,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher told USA TODAY Sports at the league’s owners meetings. “I don’t have a backup with experience on the roster right now.”
Bradford is five months removed from suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and the team’s current backup is second-year player Austin Davis, who has never started a game in the NFL. Connecting Sanchez to St. Louis is offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, who had the same role with New York from 2009 to 2011.
It’s been a wonder why the top tight end remaining on the free-agent market remained unsigned for so long. There was reported interest between Jermichael Finley and the Seattle Seahawks, and the holdup on a deal finally has a reason.
According to PackersNews.com, Finley failed a physical during a recent visit to the Pacific Northwest. Finley is more than four months removed from undergoing neck surgery to fuse his C-3/C-4 vertebrae, which is a touchy injury as some doctors believe the risk of re-injury is too high to clear.
It is unknown whether the Seahawks will bring Finley back in for a re-check, but according to the report, Finley’s surgeon called the neck fusion healed. That doesn’t mean he is ready to return to the field, though.
Green Bay Packers safety Sean Richardson underwent the same surgery on different vertebrae in January of 2013 and was not cleared by the team’s medical staff until 10 months later. Former Texans back Steve Slaton had it in January of 2010 and wasn’t cleared for 6.5 months.
Monday was supposed to bring a decision on the Jared Allen front. So far, though, no word.
Allen asked Seattle if he could take the weekend to contemplate his offer from the team after visiting with the team a second time. Allen also visited with the Dallas Cowboys and has not ruled out retirement.
There’s always the chance Allen waits until later in the offseason to find a new home, much like John Abraham did last year before signing with the Arizona Cardinals. Whether or not he’ll receive a better contract off remains unknown.
On Thursday, it was reported Allen agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with Seattle after passing a physical in Arizona. If he signs on with any team Monday, the Seahawks are seemingly the front-runner.
