NFL

McElroy has shot to prove his future is with Gang Green

The best thing Greg McElroy has going for him is the Jets don’t believe he is an NFL starting quarterback.

Perhaps they will be dead wrong once again.

Coach Rex Ryan wouldn’t give McElroy a shot even after he came off the bench to lead his team to a 7-6 victory over the Cardinals on Dec. 2. The Jets did not even allow McElroy to dress the following week.

McElroy will make his first NFL start tomorrow at MetLife Stadium in a meaningless game against the Chargers, but this is more like a start to see if McElroy can be a legitimate backup next season. While Mark Sanchez buttfumbled and threw his way out of the starting job and Sideshow Tim Tebow was never given an opportunity, McElroy will get the chance to open eyes tomorrow.

During practice yesterday, in the brief time the media was allowed to watch the Jets, McElroy’s presence and footwork were impressive. But will he have enough arm strength? Will he have the right touch?

Nevertheless, you also could see McElroy approaches the job with a sense of urgency and has that leadership gene. His body language is positive, totally on the Mark.

McElroy said he has his routine down and is raring to go.

“Every week I’ve tried to prepare like I’m going to be the one out there playing the game and taking the snaps,’’ McElroy said, a perfect approach to take. “This week didn’t really change much. I just got more reps in practice. I feel good. I feel comfortable going in.”

McElroy will have a strong contingent of family and friends coming from Texas, wearing his green and white high school colors from Southlake Carroll Senior High.

“I’m looking forward to it and I know they can’t wait to get up here,” McElroy said.

I wanted Tebow to weigh in on his strange situation and he appeared willing to talk at his locker, but intervened by a Jets official and said Tebow talked on Wednesday and as a result was not going to speak. Previously, Tebow spoke to the media every Wednesday and Friday this season.

Tebow is history here. Sanchez is history. There will be a new quarterback next year, one Ryan will say, “Gives us the best chance to win.’’

Could, shockingly, that quarterback be McElroy?

The Jets really want to win and make it to the playoffs next season with owner Woody Johnson playing host to the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium. As a result of this catastrophic season it will be even more difficult to turn his Clown Crew into a contender next season.

McElroy could shock the Chargers — and the Jets — tomorrow. He might show he is ready for prime time, when games do count, not these two extra exhibition games the Jets have re-gifted to their fans with Christmas only three days away.

McElroy was asked if he thought Tebow had gotten the short end of the quarterback stick this season.

“We don’t worry about things that are out of your control,’’ McElroy said. “Obviously, Tim is a great competitor. Tim’s a great player. He’s been a joy to have around in the quarterback room and a joy to have on this team, so you don’t worry about things like that and go out there and handle the situation the way it’s been given to us and that is how way we are going to continue to handle it.

“Tim has been a remarkable guy all year and I wouldn’t expect anything less. I would consider him to be a professional in every sense of the word and continue to try to improve and perfect his craft every day.’’

McElroy sounds like a leader.

Let’s see if this quarterback can lead the Jets to victory tomorrow and open some eyes along the way.