Rex: Mark Sanchez Is Jets' Starting QB 'This Week'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Could Rex Ryan's unwavering faith in Mark Sanchez be -- wavering?
"I'm telling you right now, he's our starting quarterback this week," the Jets coach said Wednesday.
Wait, "this week"?
"What do you want me to say? He's our starter," said Ryan. "He's our starter this week. He's our starter."
Ryan stood by Sanchez through his regression last season and has insisted since the acquisition of backup Tim Tebow that No. 6 would remain No. 1.
So when the coach's vote of confidence comes with a qualifier, well, that could be something to read into.
"I'm not going to deal with what-ifs because I'm telling you right now he's our starting quarterback this week, barring injury. And things happen," said Ryan. "I feel really confident in Mark."
Many thought -- including President Barack Obama -- that the Jets' quarterback controversy could come to a head early on. After a 2-3 start and so-so play from Sanchez, it's already gone from a simmer to something close to a full-on boil.
"The public wants to win, just like we do," said Ryan. "The decision of playing Tebow will be my decision. It's not going to be the public's decision or anybody else's.
"It's on me."
Earlier on Wednesday, Jets owner Woody Johnson told CNBC that the franchise would "absolutely" keep Tebow until his contract expires after the 2014 season.
"When we traded for Tim, we understood his contract situation," said Ryan. "We brought him in because we think Tim's a good football player. With that being said – and this goes for any player – we think the guys will be with us throughout the length of the contract. ... I guess no player is totally guaranteed that they'll be there. But clearly he's a guy that we thought a lot of and that's why we traded for him. And still think a lot of."
The Jets will host Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon. Sanchez has a 66.6 passer rating to go with six touchdowns and six interceptions on the season.
Do you think Rex is close to making the switch? Be heard in the comments below...
