INDIANAPOLIS — Mark Sanchez may not know who he going to be throwing a football for this season, but it sounds as if there is no doubt in his mind he’ll be back to full strength.
Four months after shoulder surgery, Sanchez is throwing again and has told people his arm feels better than it has since his rookie year, according to a source. Sanchez has been able to throw 20-25 yards as he makes strides in his rehab.
Sanchez missed all of last season after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder during a preseason game. He has three years remaining on his contract with the Jets, but the team is expected to cut him because he is slated to count $13.1 million against the salary cap this year.
The Jets and Sanchez’s representatives are scheduled to speak this weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his future with the team probably will not be settled for several weeks. Sanchez is due to receive a $2 million roster bonus on March 25. If the Jets are going to release him, it will be before then.
Coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik were non-committal Thursday when asked about Sanchez.
“Let’s just let it play out,” Ryan said. “Then let’s see what happens. I always want guys back. … I want everyone. Would I want him back? Absolutely. I want all my guys back. You guys know my answer and you know how I feel about my players. That’s just the way it is.”
Idzik said he was confident Sanchez would return to form.
“We know Mark Sanchez,” Idzik said. “He’s been a productive player in this league. He’s been a productive starter in this league. We know how he works. We know he’s going to pour everything into his rehabilitation. We know how he’s going to be ambitious in his career. So what would lead you to believe that he wouldn’t? That’s who Mark is. He’s a competitor. He’s done it before.”