An impressive pattern has taken shape during the last two-plus years that might finally push the Jets over that AFC Championship Game threshold and into their first Super Bowl in 42 years.
Mark Sanchez keeps doing the right things — on and off the field.
The third-year quarterback continues to make all the right moves, and this bodes immeasurably well for the Jets in their quest to back up coach Rex Ryan’s bold Super Bowl guarantees.
Sanchez’s revelation yesterday that he reached out to team management to let it know he’s ready, willing and able to restructure his contract to help the Jets make the signings they need to make is Exhibit A to not only how all in he is, but how much this is his team.
Sanchez is cognizant of the reduced salary cap under the new collective bargaining agreement and the challenges the Jets face trying to re-sign their own key free agents. He, too, knows that continuity is his best friend.
That means helping the Jets find a way to retain at least two of their free agent receivers, beginning with Santonio Holmes, who sources
said received an offer yesterday from the Jets, and including Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith.
Sanchez is scheduled to make $14.75 million this year, a number that could balloon to $17.75 million with incentive bonuses.
“Whatever it takes,” Sanchez said more than once yesterday. “Whatever we need to do to win, it’s on.”
When the California kid was drafted, skeptics worried he would be too much about himself and too soft. He has proven to be anything but those things.
Through all the killer, rookie-year interceptions to his intense commitment rehabbing his left knee injury last offseason to stepping up this offseason to conduct those informal camps for his teammates, Sanchez has been anything but about himself and all about the team.
Sanchez, too, is getting smarter in his old age (he’s all of 24).
He is well aware that continuity is his best chance at leading the Jets to a Super Bowl this year, and that means another year with Holmes, who made game-deciding plays at the end of four victories last year despite missing the first four games of the season while serving a substance-abuse suspension.
Sanchez witnessed how much better Edwards was last season compared with his shaky first year with the Jets, and the quarterback is anxious to see how much better Holmes can be in his second year in the system and beyond.
While observing Holmes conduct himself sometimes a bit erratically with the press, it’s left me skeptical about whether the Jets should commit long-term big money to him. Trust is a powerful force, and, for me, Holmes tests that force.
Speaking to several Jets veterans, they also privately expressed concern about giving Holmes long-term contract security for fear he might go off the reservation at some point like he did in Pittsburgh with his alleged marijuana use that led to his suspension.
Houston’s Andre Johnson is the highest-paid receiver in the NFL, making more than $10 million a year. Holmes, who sees himself as a star, is seeking money approaching that figure.
Sanchez, respecting Holmes’ privacy, was cryptic about conversations he has had with his top receiver in recent weeks.
“We talked a little bit, but I don’t know what he wants me to say yet,” Sanchez said. “We’ll talk later this week and figure things out. He’s got a big decision to make, and I respect that. Once everything gets settled, I’m sure we’ll be able to talk about it.”
Sanchez saying Holmes has “a big decision to make” possibly indicates that Holmes is pondering whether to stay with the Jets for less money or fleeing for the biggest offer.
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is the NFL’s most egregious over-spender, and despite reportedly agreeing to a three-year, $15 million deal with receiver Santana Moss, expect Washington to stay in the Santonio sweepstakes.
Sanchez’s hope is that Holmes finds it within himself to be a little bit more like Sanchez and unselfishly do the right thing.
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com