NFL

McElroy, Sanchez — or even Tebow — could start for Jets vs. Jaguars

TRIO BLAND: Greg McElroy left Tim Tebow (center) and Mark Sanchez on the sidelines on Sunday against the Cardinals. Now, each is a candidate to get the next start. (Jeff Zelevansky)

The Jets’ quarterback situation is now a true three-ring circus.

Rex Ryan declined to name a starting quarterback yesterday for this week’s game with the Jaguars. A day after making a switch at the position, Ryan said he needs more time to decide between Mark Sanchez, Greg McElroy and — behind curtain No. 3 — Tim Tebow.

“I definitely need a little more time to make that decision,” Ryan said. “I’m comfortable and confident with all three quarterbacks. I think all three guys, well, now, have proven they can win in this league.”

Ryan pulled Sanchez, the team’s four-year starter, in the third quarter of Sunday’s 7-6 win over the Cardinals. He replaced him with McElroy, who had never been active in his two-year career. McElroy led the Jets to their only touchdown, going a modest 5-for-7 for 29 yards.

Sanchez had his worst game of the season — and that’s saying something — throwing three interceptions and completing 10 of 21 passes. It is the first time he has been benched by Ryan since he became the starter in 2009.

Tebow was inactive for the game because of two broken ribs. He had been the backup to Sanchez all season with McElroy listed as No. 3 on the depth chart. Ryan said Tebow is very much in the mix when deciding who to start under center this week against the Jaguars.

“I’m just saying this: When you look at Tim, he is a proven winning quarterback in this league,” Ryan said. “I think each game is different. When you look at who you play, the opponent you’re playing, you make a decision on what gives us the best chance to be successful and to win. And this week it’s going to be about competing and beating [2-10] Jacksonville, and that’s what will go into all decisions.”

Tebow, on a conference call with reporters, said he is hopeful he can get healthy enough to practice this week and play on Sunday. He was asked if he would be upset if McElroy leapfrogged him on the depth chart into the starter’s job.

“I’m not getting into hypotheticals,” Tebow said. “I’m just trying to get healthy right now. I’m trying to improve every single day so I can go be [a] full [participant] in practice.”

Ryan said he will consult with offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh before making the decision. He acknowledged he will probably need to have a decision made by tonight. The Jets return to practice tomorrow to begin game preparation.

“Obviously the quarterback position is different than any other position,” Ryan said. “I’m probably slower to make that move. I’ve benched a lot of great players as a coach … on defense in particular.”

If Ryan decides to go with McElroy or Tebow, it will be a stunning indictment of Sanchez. Ryan has spent his entire time with the Jets defending the player he selected No. 5 overall in 2009. Sanchez is a virtual lock to return in 2013 because of the $8.25 million guaranteed he has coming to him. If the Jets bench him now, does it ruin him as a starting quarterback?

“There are a lot of tough decisions you make as a coach,” Ryan said. “A lot of times it’s easier when you put [forward] the three priorities: the team, the team, the team. You’ve got to take away personal feelings and whatever, because it’s bigger than me or this person or that person.”

The public sentiment is going toward McElroy, but starting him could be risky because of his inexperience.

McElroy said he has not been told anything yet.

“No, no indication,” McElroy said on a conference call. “[There’s] no information at this point obviously. That’s going to come, I assume, in the next few days. I know Coach Ryan and Coach Sparano and everybody involved, they’re going to make the decision that’s best for the team. I think we all feel comfortable with their decision and we all are looking forward to what the decision may be.”

While those outside of the Jets have not seen much of McElroy, the Jets defense has had to play against him in practice this year.

“[He is] just a really smart quarterback,” defensive tackle Mike DeVito said. “He’s not always put in the most favorable positions running [the] scout team, but just his ability to set the right protections and find the open man against our defense, we see it week in and week out. He’s a special quarterback and a guy that can get the job done. He faces one of the most complex defenses in the NFL each week, so he knows how to play NFL football.”

brian.costello@nypost.com