Report: Mark Sanchez expected to sign with Eagles

Looks as if the Eagles and Jets are set to swap backup quarterbacks.

According to an ESPN report, Mark Sanchez is expected to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles -- the former home of Michael Vick -- pending a physical. The Jets released Sanchez on Friday, moments before they announced they had signed Vick for the 2014 season.

Sanchez missed all of last season after suffering a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder in the preseason during garbage time of the Jets' Snoopy Bowl game against the Giants. His contract with the Jets officially was terminated at 4 p.m. Monday, and now he is free to sign with whichever team he chooses.

St. Louis seemed like a viable option for Sanchez, given his history with Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Schottenheimer served in the same capacity with the Jets during Sanchez's first three years in the league, when the Jets reached the AFC Championship Game after the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Rams coach Jeff Fisher confirmed at the NFL owners' meetings that his organization had interest in adding Sanchez.

Cleveland also seemed like a possible destination, though much more unlikely. New coach Mike Pettine was the Jets' defensive coordinator from 2009-12.

But according to ESPN, Sanchez's "next step" is signing with the Eagles.

Reports out of Philadelphia, however, were a little more cautious.

The Eagles currently have three quarterbacks on the roster: starter Nick Foles, Matt Barkley -- a USC product, as is Sanchez -- and G.J. Kinne, who briefly spent time with the Jets during their 2012 training camp.

Although the Eagles are interested in Sanchez, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the team needs to "look further into his medical condition before they sign him to a contract," citing a source close to the situation.

Another person familiar with Sanchez's situation said Monday that "the free-agency process is ongoing." He indicated there has been no resolution.

The Giants were mentioned by NFL Network as one of the teams that would take a look at Sanchez, but the Giants do not appear likely to sign him, one team executive said, adding: "Joe Namath before we sign Sanchez."

Earlier in the day, Sanchez posted a heartfelt goodbye to the Jets' organization, the team's fan base and his former teammates. In his thank you letter, he called his time as the Jets' quarterback "the thrill of my young career."

He said his "only regret" is that the Jets didn't win a Super Bowl for the fans, his teammates and "my friend Aiden" -- referring to 11-year-old Aiden Binkley of Bellerose Village, who met Sanchez in 2010 just weeks before Binkley died of rhabdomyosarcoma.

Notes & quotes: Free agent Vladimir Ducasse, a former second-round pick of the Jets in 2010, reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Vikings . . . The Jets received a league-high four compensatory picks for this year's draft, bringing their total to 12. They were awarded one fourth-round and three sixth-round compensatory picks for losing Yeremiah Bell, Mike DeVito, Shonn Greene, Dustin Keller, LaRon Landry and Matt Slauson to free agency last offseason.

With Bob Glauber

in Orlando, Fla.