The New York Jets are opening all doors in order to bring in more quarterback competition to the team. They want someone good enough to challenge Mark Sanchez and attempt to compete for the starting role. No quarterback has yet to come close to even scaring Sanchez into thinking he might lose his starting spot. The Jets are now getting close to signing quarterback David Garrard to fill an open roster spot.
It was reported Thursday that the Jets had brought in Garrard for a workout in front of the team and are now nearing a contract with him. If the Jets can work through their cap issues, a deal with Garrard is expected to be complete. The Jets currently are about $23 million over the cap space and will have to rework contracts or cut players in order to relieve their financial issues.
At 35-years old, Garrard has not played in a single NFL game since 2010. He has spent his entire nine year career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was their primary started from 2006 to 2010. He eventually lost his starting spot to Blaine Gabbert who the team drafted in 2011.
He attempted to grab a roster spot on the Miami Dolphins prior to the 2012 season to back up rookie Ryan Tannehill, but was cut in September before Week 1. Garrard has had mild success while in the NFL. He has completed 61.6 percent of his passes. He has thrown 89 touchdowns with 54 interceptions. His career quarterback rating is 85.8. Those are not outstanding numbers, but neither are Sanchez's.
Last season, Sanchez threw just 13 touchdowns in 15 games. The Jets attempted to bring in Tim Tebow as a multi position athlete and to challenge Sanchez for the starting quarterback role, but that experiment did not work out and now Tebow is preparing to be released by the team.
It is unknown how much longer Garrard can play in the NFL. The Jets do not need someone how can blow them away in a game, just someone to compete. The team was rumored to also be looking at Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn, who is no longer needed after the team traded for Alex Smith.
Garrard is 39-37 in his NFL career. The Jets intend on taking five quarterbacks into training camp and it now looks like Garrard could be one of them.