NFL

Sanchez named Jets starter, reflects on benching

Jets coach Rex Ryan is not ready to give up on quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Ryan announced Wednesday that Sanchez will remain the team’s starting quarterback Sunday against the Jaguars. Ryan spent Monday and Tuesday speaking to a variety of people about the decision before reaching it Tuesday night. He informed quarterbacks Sanchez, Greg McElroy and Tim Tebow on Wednesday morning.

“It was a decision that I feel great about,” Ryan said. “I had a lot of opinions. I had conversations with a lot of different people, but at the end of the day it’s my decision and I’m definitely comfortable with the decision.”

Ryan would not get into specifics about his process but said he heard different opinions about what he should do.

The debate began Sunday after Ryan benched Sanchez during the Jets’ 7-6 win over the Cardinals. McElroy entered the game in the third quarter and led the Jets to their only touchdown.

“It was probably the worst and best experience of my life and hopefully you learn from it and move on and never look back,” Sanchez said.

On Monday, Ryan said he wanted to take his time deciding who would start in Jacksonville.

“The biggest thing I kept coming back to is what I had mentioned before about who gives us the best opportunity to win and, in particular, this week,” Ryan said. “When I kept coming back to that I believe the correct answer is Mark Sanchez.”

Now, Sanchez says it’s up to him.

“I’m pleased with coach’s decision and now it’s my job to go make him right,” Sanchez said.

Ryan did acknowledge that Sanchez, who has 18 turnovers this season, needs to improve.

“I believe in Mark,” Ryan said. “I believe Mark has a skill set that is pretty impressive. He can make all the throws. The thing Mark has to do a better job of is protect the ball and know when it’s OK to take chances and know when you shouldn’t. I believe that Mark is going to do a better job of that.”

Ryan said Tebow will be the backup in Jacksonville if he is healthy. He was inactive last week with broken ribs.

Sanchez is owed $8.25 million guaranteed in 2013, something Ryan said played “absolutely zero” role in his decision.

“I’m just disappointed because I let a lot of teammates down. That never feels good. It just doesn’t, not the way I prepare, not the skill set I’ve been blessed to have, it just doesn’t marry up with the way I’ve been playing,” Sanchez said. “That’s disappointing to me. It’s no fun. It happened and now it’s time to bounce back.”

Ryan also said that owner Woody Johnson did not put any pressure on him.

“I don’t get any pressure from Woody,” he said. “I’m fortunate. I have a great relationship with my owner, with Woody. We have open conversations all the time. We can say things to each other and all that. Where I’m real fortunate is from the day Mr. Johnson hired me he’s said it’s 100 percent my decision on who plays and what their role is. That’s it.”

Ryan likened it to Sanchez’s rookie year when they introduced color codes to help make better decisions.

“In ’09 we had the red, yellow, green all that kind of jazz,” Ryan said. “I guess you could say we’re in red right now.”