When David Garrard announced his retirement from football, it was figured that the quarterback was taking the next plane out of New York as quickly as possible. He was in the midst of one of the most highly publicized quarterback competitions in the league and decided to back away due to injury. However, Garrard could find himself back in New York sooner than he thinks.
Garrard could easily be seen back in the green and white when the Jets enter into camp this summer. The quarterback told USA Today he has talked to the Jets about getting involved with the organization in other ways.
"The Jets offered me the chance to come back if I want to take a shot at that coaching thing with an internship in training camp. I told them I'd talk with my wife about it, so I could still work with those guys. It's definitely something I'm considering," Garrard said.
With Garrard out of the picture, the Jets quarterback rotation is down to four guys to battle for the starting spot. Garrard is under the impression that the Jets have no plans on adding another quarterback to the roster after his departure. As he puts it, "I'm not sure if they want to add any more controversy."
Controversy is right. Ever since the Jets drafted Geno Smith in the second round, rumors have been running wild of what Mark Sanchez's future with the team would look like. Before Garrard retired, it was assumed that he and Smith would likely be the top two guys with Sanchez either traded or released.
From Garrard's early impressions, Smith looks to be the future of the franchise while still believing there is a real competition happening this season.
"I think Geno's going to be great. He still has a lot to learn in the NFL. He definitely has to work. But he has what it takes. No he has to go out and prove it," Garrard said.
Those words are only fuel to the fire. Garrard knows that Smith is in for a lot of attention. Fans will gravitate to him because he is the new guy and is putting pressure on Sanchez. going off Garrard's words, if he were the coach of the Jets for many years to come, Smith would be the future and Sanchez would be wearing a different team's jersey.