Just when it looked like the quarterback competition in New York was over, owner Woody Johnson promises it is still very much alive. Rookie Geno Smith might have been named the starter for the first week of the season, but Mark Sanchez is still very much alive in the race. As the veteran continues to battle a shoulder injury and injured reserve rumors, Johnson is promising his future with the Jets is secure.
The quarterback situation for the Jets will remain a headline for the remainder of the season. Sorry New York fans, but this is what happens when a team has a four-year veteran and opts to draft a rookie as well. Sanchez remains out with his shoulder injury, but Johnson is fighting off rumors that the team is attempting to make a clean break from the butt-fumble quarterback.
"I wished he hadn't gotten hurt, but you've got to protect yourself, too," Johnson said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "Mark will be on the team; I don't think there's any question about that."
USA TODAY Sports reported that Sanchez was concerned the team would place him on injured reserve and end his season before it even had a chance to begin. Johnson said the team was not considering placing the quarterback on short-term or season injured reserve. Instead, the Jets were focusing on getting Sanchez healthy and continuing his rehab.
"He's a very, very good quarterback," Johnson said. "Franchise quarterback, you can debate the term. There's a competition for the job, and he's still in the competition."
Smith will get the start at least for the first two weeks. It was thought that Sanchez's injury was more serious that originally reported, but for now the Jets are only ruling the quarterback out for the first two games with the possibility of returning by Week 3.
Smith does not have a lot of depth behind him, so keeping Sanchez on the team is essential. The Jets signed Brady Quinn after roster cuts and have Matt Simms. Both quarterbacks are not ready to take on the starting spot.
Johnson supported head coach Rex Ryan's decision to keep Sanchez in the preseason game the led to the injury. The owner has no regrets over the move, but does feel terrible about where it put Sanchez with the team. The situation will only get more dramatic as the season goes on. Even if Sanchez gets healthy, if Smith has the hot hand the veteran will never see the field.
