Criminal trial of former Bears quarterback delayed by 2 months
**FIEL PHOTO** Former NFL QB, Mark Sanchez Stabbed and Arrested after Incident at Bar. New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez visits backstage the cast of Billy Elliot The Musical after seeing the Broadway show at the Imperial Theatre in New York City on February 16, 2010. Photo Copyright: xx
**FIEL PHOTO** Former NFL QB, Mark Sanchez Stabbed and Arrested after Incident at Bar. New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez visits backstage the cast of Billy Elliot The Musical after seeing the Broadway show at the Imperial Theatre in New York City on February 16, 2010. Photo Copyright: xx
Former Chicago Bears quarterback Mark Sanchez will have to wait longer for his criminal case to reach trial.
According to a report by 93.1 FM WIBC, the latest delay moves the start date from July 13 to September 8, one day before the 2026 NFL regular season begins.
This marks the fifth time the trial has been rescheduled for Sanchez, who served as a backup quarterback for the Chicago Bears in 2017. The trial was originally slated to begin in December but has since been pushed back on multiple occasions.
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 24: Chicago Bears quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) looks on during an NFL American Football Herren USA football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears on September 24, 2017 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire) NFL: SEP 24 Steelers at Bears PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon164092417596
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 24: Chicago Bears quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) looks on during an NFL American Football Herren USA football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears on September 24, 2017 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire) NFL: SEP 24 Steelers at Bears PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon164092417596
Sanchez is facing several criminal charges, including felony b****** resulting in serious injury. According to 93.1 FM WIBC, the charges stem from an October 2025 incident in a downtown Indianapolis alley, where police said the former NFL quarterback was s****** after an altercation with 69-year-old truck driver Perry Tole.
The incident took place when he was in the city to call an Indianapolis Colts game for FOX Sports.
Tole told police Sanchez attacked him first, which led him to use pepper spray and a knife in self-defense, as per the report.
Prosecutors initially filed three misdemeanor charges before upgrading one count to felony b****** resulting in serious bodily injury.
If convicted on the felony charge, Sanchez could face up to six years in prison and a fine of $10,000.
Tole also filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez, FOX Sports, and Huse Culinary Inc., alleging they served Sanchez alcohol before the incident.
The legal case also changed the course of Sanchez's broadcasting career.
FOX Sports moved quickly after the Indianapolis incident
The abrupt shift occurred less than 48 hours before Sanchez was scheduled to call a game between the Colts and Raiders for FOX last year.
According to a report by The Spun, FOX then parted ways with Sanchez and appointed Drew Brees as his permanent replacement.
After the decision, Sanchez's brother Nick shared a public statement.
“While the recent news — and its timing — is understandably disappointing, our priority remains his continued healing and recovery,” Nick said. “Mark deeply values his time at FOX and the exceptional colleagues he’s had the privilege to work with. Those relationships are meaningful and will endure.”
The focus is now on the upcoming trial. Unless the court delays it again, Sanchez is due to stand trial on September 8.
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Written by
Evince Das
Edited by
Shubhi Rathore