New York Jets Rumors: Quarterback Mark Sanchez Very Likely to be Released
John O
New York Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez missed the entire 2013 season due to a shoulder injury. On Tuesday, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com reported that a source told him Sanchez is very unlikely to be on the Jets’ roster next season.
The Jets entered the 2009 NFL Draft with a ‘big’ need at the quarterback position. They made a trade with the Cleveland Browns to move from the 17th to the fifth overall pick to draft University of Southern California-USC quarterback Sanchez, according to Cimini of the then New York Daily News.
On June 11th, the Jets signed Sanchez to a five-year, $44.5 million contract. The incentives in that contract could have earned him as much as $50.5 million, according to Cimini.
In Sanchez’s first two seasons, 2009 and 2010, he guided the Jets to two American Football Conference, AFC, Championship Game appearances. They were unable to advance to the Super Bowl in either scenario, but the future appeared bright for him.
The next two seasons for Sanchez were a disaster.
The Jets missed the playoffs and had a combined record of 14-18. The worst season out of those two for Sanchez was the 2012 season; his worst since his rookie season.
On March 9th, 2012, the Jets gave Sanchez a three-year contract extension, according to Cimini.
"The deal includes $20.5 million in guarantees for 2012 and 2013 and $40.5 million in ‘new’ money, bringing his total over five years to $58.25 million, according to sources. He can make an additional $10 million in escalators.”"
Sanchez’s performance during the 2012 season appeared to make the team regret giving him a contract extension.
He threw for 2,883 yards, 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. They finished with a very disappointing 6-10 record that season.
On Jan. 19, 2013, Jets’ owner Woody Johnson hired Seattle Seahawks’ executive John Idzik to be the team’s general manager, according to Cimini.
"I am honored and extremely excited to be joining the New York Jets,” said Idzik, who will be introduced at a news conference Thursday. “I am eager to get started building on the foundation that is already in place.”"
Prior to the 2013 NFL Draft, Idzik traded cornerback Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 13th overall pick and a conditional pick, according to Cimini. This trade made it apparent that Idzik was in rebuilding mode.
On Apr. 26th, the second day of the NFL Draft, the Jets drafted University of West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith in the second round, according to Cimini.
"Our plan is for Geno to compete,” Idzik told Cimini.We drafted Geno Smith because he has exceptional talent. Let’s get him into a situation where we can help him develop that and let’s see where he goes.”"
That summer Smith and Sanchez competed to be the Jets’ starting quarterback for the 2013 season. The competition appeared to be close throughout the preseason until Aug. 24.
On Aug. 24, the Jets were playing a preseason game against the New York Giants. Smith started the game for the Jets and Sanchez replaced him in the fourth quarter, according to Cimini.
Then Giants’ defensive tackle Marvin Austin hit Sanchez’s throwing shoulder after he released the football. Sanchez hurt his shoulder during the hit and left the game, according to Cimini.
"Unfortunately, the best play that he makes, probably all of preseason, he ends up getting hurt on it,” Ryan said of Sanchez, who eluded two onrushing Giants to make a pass before being leveled by Austin, to Cimini. “We’ll see the severity of the injury later.”"
The injury was very serious for Sanchez, as aforementioned, and he ended up missing the entire 2013 season. Smith started every game at quarterback for the team this past season.
They finished the season with an 8-8 record. It appears that there could be an official changing of the guards in regards to the team’s franchise quarterback.
“One source said the chances of Sanchez returning are about 20 to 30 percent,” according to Cimini.
This does make sense because Smith showed that he does have potential to be a good NFL quarterback. Sanchez is scheduled to make a lot of money next season.
The source told Cimini that Sanchez would have to accept a large pay cut, in order to be released. The Jets would owe Sanchez a $2 million roster bonus if he not released by March 25, according to Cimini.