Speculation surrounding the future of Mark Sanchez continues as the NFL scouting combine gets underway. After general manager John Idzik noted he is committed to no one on the New York Jets' current roster, many wonder if the veteran quarterback could get replaced by yet another rookie. With Sanchez still rehabbing his shoulder injury, head coach Rex Ryan is telling the media to not write him off just yet.
Sanchez's contract hurts his future more than the fact that he sat out an entire season after injuring his throwing shoulder during the 2013 preseason. The quarterback has a $9 million base salary and is due a $2 million roster bonus towards the end of March. The Jets would ideally like to save some money this offseason and load up on some talent considering the finished 8-8 and missed out on the playoffs. Dropping Sanchez would help the cause, but Ryan is not ready to assume he is out just yet.
"Let's just let it play out," Ryan said, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. "I always want guys back. . . . [Would] I want him back? Absolutely. Would I want all my guys back? You guys know my answer. You know how I feel about my players. That's just the way it is."
If the Jets are going to keep Sanchez, it would likely be for a backup job. Rookie Geno Smith did a good enough job last season to likely enter training camp as the starter despite what Idzik says. Also, New York cannot afford to keep him on. Sanchez would likely have to accept a pay cut and restructure his current contract. CBSSports.com reports that many general managers believe if Sanchez becomes available, he could be a starter for any team. With that being said, it seems highly unlikely he would accept taking a pay cut for a backup job.
It Is predicted the Jets could take a quarterback late in the draft. The team plans on working out several options after the draft is over. Players like AJ McCarron or Aaron Murry could be strong targets. However, drafting a rookie would leave the Jets with three young quarterbacks if Sanchez is released. That might not be the ideal situation for New York.
