Broncos newly acquired quarterback, Mark Sanchez, will likely always be known for his infamous “Butt Fumble.” The comedic chain of events was listed on SportCenter’s “Not Top Ten: Worst of the Worst” for so many consecutive weeks that it had to officially be retired by ESPN executives due to the fear that no play would ever beat it out.

It seems that this play has defined his career, but what is lost throughout the ROFLs and tears is that Sanchez was drafted fifth overall for a reason. He is only one of very few to take a team to the playoffs as a rookie quarterback, and is still incredibly talented.

If fact, Hall of Fame quarterback, Joe Namath, suggested that Sanchez was a better quarterback than the New York Jets 2015 starter, Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“I don’t think [Fitzpatrick] can beat Sanchez out. He’s got a younger body, a stronger arm, and he’s a guy that has some experience,” Namath told New York Newsday on Tuesday at a GTIF Charity Day event in Manhattan.

Fitzpatrick, who was on the radar of John Elway and the Broncos front office this offseason, was unwilling to take a pay cut to come to Denver. The 33-year-old free agent is still in a “standoff” with the Jets, but many feel that he will eventually re-sign in New York. With the failed attempt to bring in San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the Broncos drafted quarterback Paxton Lynch out of Memphis to compete with Sanchez for the starting position.

“I tell you what, Denver has at least one quarterback that can still play, contrary to what people around here think. and that’s Mark Sanchez,” Namath said. “My mind, my experience, sees a quality person and a quality player. I still believe he’s going to be around 12 to 15 years, whether he’s the starter or not. He’s good for any team he is on.”

Sanchez knows what he is up against this offseason. He was in Lynch’s exact shoes seven years ago when Kellen Clemons was, on paper, the starter for the New York Jets and Sanchez was just starting his NFL career. Sanchez put together an offseason that revealed his ability to remain poised under pressure and make NFL throws. He ended up beating out Clemons for the starting position and took the Jets to the AFC Championship game. He was named to Sporting News’ All-Rookie team for his performance.

It seems that, on paper, Sanchez is the 2016 starter for the Denver Broncos. He has been nothing but a leader since the Broncos traded a conditional 17′ pick for him, and he continues to show confidence in this team as well as himself.

Although an endorsement by Namath doesn’t guarantee that Sanchez will return to his early form, it should give Broncos fans some confidence that they appear to have the right guy under center this upcoming season.