New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has said that Mark Sanchez still has the chance to compete for the team's starting quarterback job, although he has avoided saying the same about Tim Tebow, fueling speculation that the backup will be traded at some point in the near future.
According to NFL.com, Ryan spoke about the quarterback at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and along with general manager John Idzik said that Sanchez would have the chance to compete.
"No. 1, you heard about what John talked about, the competition. Bringing in competition at every position, not just the quarterback position. ... That is what we want to do. So to say Mark Sanchez or this quarterback or that quarterback, I think there's clearly going to be competition," Ryan said.
Sanchez is still owed nearly $9 million in guaranteed money after the contract the Jets gave him last season and he would be a large ca casualty if he were cut, which is one reason why he has not been released. Along with Tebow, the Jets got very little production from the quarterback position last year and they are likely to trade the backup and bring someone in to compete with Tebow, either a free gaent, in a trade or from the draft.
The Jets met with quarterback Matt Barkley at the combine in Indianapolis and they have also been linked to Alex Smith and Matt Flynn in various trade rumors throughout the offseason. There is a good chance they will trade Tebow, but that will mainly result in whether they can find any trade partner to take him.
"Well, currently, and as you look at everything, Tim is under contract to be a New York Jet and so we'll see how things go in the offseason," Ryan said. "But Tim is under contract."
Trade talks have not been limited to just the quarterbacks, as owner Woody Johnson has expressed interest in dealing the Jets' best player in cornerback Darrelle Revis. Ryan said the team has not discussed trading hi,, but that they would consider every avenue that presented itself.
"We recognize Darrelle's a great player," Ryan said Thursday on Day 1 of the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. "Could there be a trade? Yeah, sure, anybody can be traded. But do I expect there to be a trade for Darrelle Revis? No. But that doesn't mean . . . something could come up."
According to the daily News, the team avoided speaking to Revis' representatives at the scouting combine, as they have shown they do not want to pay Revis as one of the highest paid players in football, something the cornerback has expressed.
The All Pro and former Pro Bowl corner is rehabbing from a season ending knee injury and is entering the final year of his contract. The Jets are likely to try and trade him or work out a contract extension with the cornerback since his deal would kick in at least a $10 million salary cap hit if he plays out the final year on the team without a new deal.
Sources said no formal talks have gone on between the two sides and that a deal could be imminent soon after the league year begins if no progress is made. Revis is considered to be the best cover corner in the NFL when healthy, but the Jets have money tied up in their quarterbacks and have some salary cap issues that could keep them from signing him to a long term deal.
Revis reportedly wants at least $16 million per year, something the Jets have been reluctant to want to do until they see whether Revis will return to his All Pro form following a knee injury suffered early last season.
