As Mark Sanchez became the most talked-about player on the Jets, Kellen Clemens became their forgotten man.
Clemens once was considered the Jets’ future quarterback, after they took the Oregon product in the second round of the 2006 draft.
But after an unimpressive 2007 season, when he threw five touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games, the Jets went elsewhere.
They traded for Brett Favre during training camp in 2008, and then drafted Sanchez last spring. After Sanchez put the final nail in Clemens’ coffin as a Jet by winning the competition for the starting job in training camp, it’s clear Clemens won’t be a starter for the Jets any time soon.
“I’m not at the point yet where I want to say, ‘Look, I’m a career backup, and that’s all I want to do,’ ” Clemens said during yesterday’s locker room cleanout. “I believe that I have the ability to play, and play well. But we’ll see.”
Clemens made only one start this season, going 12-for-23 for 111 yards with no TDs in a 26-3 win at Tampa Bay on Dec. 13.
But unless Sanchez, who missed that game with an injured left knee, suffers injuries down the road, Clemens is only going to be a backup if he stays with the Jets.
Because of that, it seems likely that Clemens could be in another uniform this summer. This was the final year of his original four-year rookie contract.
Assuming no new CBA is reached, it leaves the Jets with the choice to either tender him a contract, making him a restricted free agent, or allowing him to become unrestricted and sign with whatever team he chooses.
“There’s a lot of stuff that’s really out of my control now,” Clemens said. “I believe the Jets like me and want to keep me here, which is certainly not a bad option. I believe in this franchise and this organization.
“It’s not the end of the world if I’m here next year, but we’ll see. It’s all gonna play out in the next few months, so I’m excited to see what the future holds.”