The Jets Must Find a Way to Get Rid of Mark Sanchez

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. The Titans defeated the Jet 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Sanchez had one of his worst games as a pro on Monday night. He threw 4 interceptions, and nobody had to really make a great play to record those interceptions. The throws were that bad, it was almost as if he had forgotten which team was which. It was bad, and we are all assuming he has thrown his last pass for 2012, and maybe his last pass as a New York Jets quarterback. No matter what you feel, or I feel, about the reasons, it has become abundantly clear that he can no longer be the starting quarterback of the New York Jets.

The trouble is the financial end of things. Being due over $8 million in 2013 is going to make moving Mark Sanchez a difficult task. Not too many teams are going to want to take that contract on. The theory is that Mark will be here next year, and that the Jets will bring in some legit competition for him. Where have we heard that before? Well, maybe they do something this time. Maybe the front office has an epiphany, or there are changes made. It could happen, a legit competitor for Mark’s job next year. But I feel a little bit different. For all parties involved, they need to figure out SOME way to move Sanchez, no matter what it takes.

According to sources around the football team, the guys have lost faith in Mark Sanchez. So much so, that people fear that if he is the starter, that Rex Ryan will lose the locker room. That’s a problem that won’t go away, even if Mark sits for the rest of 2012 and then comes back. You could see it on Rex’s face on Monday night. There may have even been an expletive said prior to Mark’s name under the coach’s breath. He is not thrilled with Mark, and doesn’t seem to believe in him anymore. The players seem not to as well. After all of this time, nothing Mark says or does is going to change that. If he is back, the team will become divided. It might be a better situation for the long term for the team if they can get him off of the roster.

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) calls the signals from the line against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. Titans won 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets are effectively ruining Mark’s career by keeping him here. We have talked at length about how they have had developed, or not developed him. Whatever the reasons are, he obviously has regressed as a quarterback. He is not making good decisions, and still forces the ball into areas he has no business throwing into. Be it coaching, poor weapons, lack of ability, or a combination of everything, Mark Sanchez has regressed to the point where he doesn’t belong out there on the football field. His confidence has been shattered over and over again. He does not belong on the football field right now, but yet they keep running him out there. The more he plays badly, the less of a chance that ANY team will EVER be willing to take him off their hands.

No matter what role he serves with this team, in 2012 or otherwise, he will always be subjected to the questions. With his tumultuous career to date, he will always be in the limelight. Starting his career out with the 2 title games, and regressing to this point, Mark will be a face of this team as long as he is here. Either as a starter, or as a backup, he will be the subject of much scrutiny. Don’t think it will only be as a starter, far from it. He will get the “How are you coping” questions for as long as he is a backup with the Jets as well. These questions will continue to tear at his confidence until he is no longer employable by ANY team in the NFL. It’s not fair to Mark to keep him here under the present circumstances, even with the contract. He should be given the opportunity to resurrect his career, elsewhere.

When the Jets are asked about the recent years, they like to fall back on the two AFC title appearances. They use those as talking points, to reiterate the fact that this regime has been successful. It has been a while, but yet this is still the reference point. But, if they are going to use that as the reference point, they must give Mark the respect he deserves for being part of it. He won four road playoff games folks. It’s not like this guy has been a dog for the team for his entire career. He has had some great moments, whether we want to admit that or not.

To that end, they should show Mark the respect, and thanks for being part of those teams, by giving him the respect of getting him out of town for a new start. I understand that it will be difficult, but it needs to be done. He should not be forced to toil away on the New York Jets any longer. It just isn’t air.