LaDainian Tomlinson Doesn’t Think Mark Sanchez Will Be A Starter Again

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith will start on Sunday when his team takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. LaDainian Tomlinson believes that decision will effectively end any chance QB Mark Sanchez has of becoming an NFL starter in the future.

The retired running back appeared Tuesday on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio where in no uncertain terms he proclaimed:

“I don’t think Mark will be a starter again in the NFL.”

Tomlinson then added:

“I think there’s certainly potential for him to be a backup and then get a starting job for half the year or what have you that way. But I think his days as a full-time starter are pretty much over.”

LaDainian Tomlinson knowns Mark Sanchez pretty well after spending two years in the same backfield as the QB. In 2011, Tomlinson watched Sanchez turn over the football 26 times.

Tomlinson knows good quarterbacks after spending playing time with both Drew Brees and Philip Rivers.

During the preseason, Mark Sanchez injured his throwing shoulder, and, with his turnover rate, overall weak performances, and an injury behind him, Tomlinson is probably right about the QBs future.

In the meantime, the fate of the New York Jets now sits squarely on the shoulders of Geno Smith, a second-round pick who will now lean on offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

When asked why he believes Sanchez is done as a starting QB, Tomlinson revealed: “You’ve got to realize in football, for a quarterback, you’re going to get three to five years in an organization to prove that you’re the franchise guy. I mean that’s just what it is. And if you don’t do it in that time frame, then they’re going to move on to somebody else.”

Do you think Mark Sanchez is done receiving chances at a starting QB position in the NFL?