INDIANAPOLIS — The Jets refuse to say Mark Sanchez is going to be cut any day now, but it’s clear from how they’re talking the one-time franchise quarterback is on his way out.
Coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik ducked questions about Sanchez on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. At one point, Ryan said he would “absolutely” want Sanchez back, but that was in the middle of saying he wants all his players back.
Asked to give an overview of the quarterbacks currently on the roster, Ryan said, “I’d prefer not to.” He then heaped praise on Geno Smith, but never mentioned Sanchez.
Ryan was pressed specifically on whether he hopes Sanchez is on the team in 2014 and was visibly uncomfortable answering the question.
“Let’s just let it play out,” he 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.”
Sanchez has three years remaining on his contract, but it is clear his Jets days are over. The team would save $8.3 million in salary-cap space by cutting him. That move likely will come before March 25, when they would have to pay him a $2 million roster bonus.
Sanchez, 27, is four months removed from shoulder surgery. Both Idzik and Ryan said his rehabilitation is going well.
“Right now with Mark, his whole focus, and I know he’s doing a great job of this, is rehabbing, getting that shoulder back to where he’s throwing right now,” Ryan said. “He had a little knee cleanup as well. I know he’s doing whatever he can to get back. I’d like them all back. I recognize the NFL is something where that’s really not realistic to have all your players back. Again, we’ll let it all play out and see what happens.”
Idzik said there is no reason to think Sanchez can’t return to being a starting quarterback in the NFL.
“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.”
While they are still pretending Sanchez could have a future with the Jets, the team has clearly moved on to putting their trust in Smith, who struggled mightily as a rookie. Smith was the worst-rated passer in the NFL in 2013 and had long periods of poor play.
Ryan pointed to Smith’s improved play in the final month of the season and his game-winning drives as reasons to believe Smith can thrive. Still, the Jets won’t name Smith their starting quarterback.
“ I think really when you look at it there’s really no need to right now,” Ryan said. “We don’t know what the deal is. Let’s see what our roster looks like and then we’ll make those statements or whatever. I don’t think there’s really need right now with any player. I think over the six years I’ve learned that’s probably the best way to handle those.”
Ryan would not even rule out drafting a quarterback in the first round, although it was under the category of “never say never.”
“I think right now anything’s a possibility,” Ryan said. “I don’t even know the players. I’ve seen them on TV, but I really haven’t studied anybody.”