It has been an eventful week for former Chicago Bears quarterbacks. First, Mitchell Trubisky received praise from former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson. Now, his former backup and Bears QB Mark Sanchez is drawing attention for more ominous reasons.
Sanchez is now an analyst for Fox Sports. He is in Indianapolis to cover the Colts’ Week 5 home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, he received medical attention at the hospital, suffering apparent stab wounds on Saturday.
Police have also arrested Sanchez over the incident
Former Bears QB Mark Sanchez Arrested After Stabbing in Indianapolis
Ex-Bears QB Mark Sanchez Arrested for Battery, Public Intoxication
Initially, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement on the matter, saying they were investigating a two-person altercation. They did not name Sanchez, who was with the Bears during Trubisky’s rookie season in 2017, though.
“IMPD is investigating a disturbance that happened near Senate Avenue and West Washington Street on October 4 around 12:30 a.m. The incident involved two adult males, resulting in one man receiving lacerations and the other injuries consistent with stab wounds. Detectives believe this is an isolated incident between two men and not a random act of violence,” Indianapolis police said in a statement on X on October 4.
“Both individuals, who are not local residents, have been identified. IMPD Aggravated Assault detectives are continuing their investigation and have reviewed video footage of the incident. Both men received medical treatment. The man with the apparent stab wounds remains hospitalized in stable condition.”
The IMPD said they would not release any names. That was “unless the suspect is arrested, charged, or being sought.”
However, the IMPD issued a second statement soon after, announcing Sanchez’s arrest.
“After further investigation and following consultation with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, IMPD arrested 38-year-old Mark Sanchez for his alleged role in this incident. Sanchez was arrested at the hospital for battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, all which are misdemeanors. All involved parties have been identified, and no further individuals are being sought by detectives,” the IMPD posted on October 4.
“Sanchez is still in the hospital and has not been booked into the Adult Detention Center.”
Other Party Claims ‘Self Defense’ in Mark Sanchez Incident
As the second report from the IMPD suggests, the other part involved is claiming that Sanchez, who has yet to offer his account of the situation, was the transgressor in the altercation, per an anonymous tip to Fox59/CBS4 in Indianapolis.
“Per the source, the other person involved in the incident was a grease disposal truck operator that works with local restaurants. That driver and Sanchez got into the altercation, according to the source, when Sanchez told the driver he was upset that the grease disposal truck was blocking a nearby alley,” Fox 59/CBS 4’s Sam Maurer wrote on October 4. “The source also indicated that Sanchez was acting erratically and had started doing wind sprints in the alley before the stabbing occurred.
“Sanchez wasn’t cooperative with responding police officers.”
Like Trubisky, whom the Bears traded up to select No. 2 overall in 2017, Sanchez was a top-five selection in his class. The New York Jets took him fifth overall in 2009.
Jay Cutler Gets Out of Jail Early
Sanchez is not the only former Bears QB in the news for running afoul of the law. He was a backup with the Bears, but they acquired former Denver Broncos QB Jay Cutler to be their franchise QB. He spent eight years with the organization from 2009 through 2016. Cutler led the Bears to the postseason in 2010.
Cutler received a four-day jail sentence in August. It stemmed from an arrest in October 2024 on charges of, among other things, driving under the influence and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.
He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, per TMZ.
Cutler turned himself in on September 29 for his four-day sentence, “but he ultimately only spent about two and a half,” TMZ reported on October 2. “It’s unclear why he got out early — we’ve reached out to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office multiple times this week for comment, but have yet to hear back.”
Another motorist also sued Cutler. Cutler rear-ended the other individual’s vehicle during the incident. The ex-Bears star, Cutler, offered the other driver $2,000, hoping the authorities would remain uninvolved.