So much for Bart Scott’s NFL comeback attempt.
Despite reports earlier this month that the opinionated former Jets linebacker was talking to several teams, Scott abruptly retired Tuesday to join CBS Sports’ newly expanded Sunday pregame show.
The Jets still aren’t far from Scott’s mind, though, especially the plight of coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Scott told The Post Tuesday at CBS’ annual NFL media luncheon that Ryan is in a “tough situation” with a depleted roster and a new general manager in John Idzik, and that Sanchez’s outward lack of confidence is costing him respect in the locker room.
“I feel for Rex because he’s in a difficult spot,” Scott said. “He had great success early, and when that happens, you kind of spoil the fans and the community. His stock is descending, and he understands the situation he’s in — he has to win, and he has to win now.”
Scott said Ryan will be able to keep his job if the Jets can muster an 8-8 record, but Scott didn’t sound optimistic that .500 would be possible for Gang Green’s young, overhauled roster.
“Rex still has control of the locker room,” Scott said. “People love to play for him, and they respect him a lot. … But it’s going to be difficult. With Santonio Holmes’ [foot] injury and all the things going on over there, it’s going to be difficult for him to try to pull it off.”
As for Sanchez, Scott said the veterans he knows want No. 6 to start — at least early in the season — over rookie Geno Smith because “the known commodity is often the safe commodity.”
But Sanchez needs to start acting the part of a winning quarterback, Scott added.
“He definitely shows some [mental] wear and tear from [playing in New York],” Scott said. “He just has to learn how to have a short memory and have confidence in himself.”
“As a leader, Mark can’t wear his emotions on his sleeve all the time, because his teammates see that. If you’re down, you can’t act down — you’re the quarterback. You have the prime spot, so you always have to hold your head up high and exude confidence.”
Scott said he was open to rejoining the Jets or any other team until very recently, when CBS came calling.
The network’s pregame show — creatively dubbed “That Other Pregame Show” — will now run for four hours, with Scott joining former Raiders executive Amy Trask in providing league-wide analysis.
“This was a tremendous opportunity that I didn’t want to pass up,” Scott said. “It’s something I could be doing for the next 20 years.”
bhubbuch@nypost.com