Report: Jets Will Look To Trade Mark Sanchez; Vick On Radar?
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mark Sanchez, anyone?
Anyone?
The Jets "will attempt to trade" Sanchez this offseason, according to the New York Daily News.
Coach Rex Ryan pulled the plug on his embattled quarterback after Monday's five-turnover debacle destroyed New York's playoff hopes. He informed Sanchez after the loss that his time was up. On Tuesday, Ryan named third-stringer Greg McElroy the starter for Week 16, leapfrogging backup Tim Tebow.
Tebow will reportedly ask for deliverance from Gang Green after the season. And now Sanchez appears to be on his way out.
That is, if the Jets can find any takers.
Sanchez "could be back in 2013 and still compete for the starting job," the Daily News reported.
At issue: the 26-year-old has what now looks like an albatross $8.25 million base salary for next season. Even if they trade him, the cap hit would be significant -- $8.9 million, for starters. If they agree to pay a hefty portion of his salary in a deal, which would be expected, those dollars would also count against the cap.
The report was disputed by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk: "A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that no decisions have been made regarding Sanchez's future with the team."
According to The Associated Press, the Jets will "consider all their options" -- including a trade. New York has "not made any determinations involving Sanchez," the AP reported.
Ryan said it was "news to me" at his press conference Thursday.
"That didn't come from me," Ryan said, adding he's placed "zero focus" on the Sanchez trade chatter. "Anything dealing with the future past Buffalo will be handled after that."
So what could come after Week 17?
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who has a big fan in Ryan, "would be amenable" to joining New York if Sanchez is out of the picture, the Daily News reported. Vick, banged-up and relegated to backup duty in Philadelphia, is expected to be released at season's end.
"Bring it on," a Jets source told the Daily News regarding Vick.
Perhaps Sanchez could still be around for Vick to work. NFL.com reported Wednesday that he "would consider signing with the Jets if he were paid more than Sanchez, making it clear that Vick was the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart."
Not everyone agreed with the assessment. Adam Schein of SNY tweeted Wednesday: "Source on Vick to Jets: 'There's no chance...I'm laughing.'"
""I'll just focus on the players we have on this roster," said Ryan.
Sanchez was selected to be the Jets' franchise quarterback at No. 5 overall in the 2009 draft. He brought the team to two straight AFC Championship games in his rookie and sophomore years, but regressed in his third and fell apart in this fourth season.
After all that, Sanchez feels he still has the goods to be a starter in the NFL.
"You have to feel that way and be confident as a quarterback, no matter how many interceptions or touchdowns or anything you've thrown," he said Wednesday. "I just have to be ready to come back strong -- and I will."
Maybe just not with the Jets.
Think they'll find any takers? Would you want Sanchez on your team? Be heard in the comments...
