Supporting Mark Sanchez Will Likely be Costly for Rex Ryan

Mark Sanchez is one of the most heavily-debated quarterbacks in the NFL. Some people feel he is overrated because he has not lived up to the price the Jets paid to move up and draft him (a first and second-round pick, plus three players). Many people also feel the amount of national exposure he receives does not match where he ranks amongst NFL quarterbacks. Still others believe that he is the “Sanchize” quarterback for the Jets.

I feel like Mark Sanchez is only so-so at best, and really a below-average quarterback. He was carried by a stellar defense and very good running game his first two years. Now that the Jets’ defense and running game isn’t as good, they need more from Mark and he hasn’t delivered. I also said on record last year that the Jets would not sniff the Super Bowl with him at quarterback, though they did reach the AFC Championship Game.

LBS writer Steve DelVecchio has a harsher assessment of Sanchez, saying he’s not an NFL starter. Del feels Sanchez should have taken many more steps forward in his third year but he hasn’t. Either way, you’re looking at two people who don’t feel Mark Sanchez is very good. He threw a pick six to help his team lose against the Broncos Thursday, and he only generated 13 points in the loss.

We bring this up because Rex Ryan said after his team’s loss “[Sanchez is] going to be our quarterback for as long as I’m here, which I hope is a long, long time.”

Given that GM Mike Tannenbaum traded up to acquire Sanchez, Ryan probably can’t publicly question Mark’s ability without hearing something from his boss. Whether Rex truly believes that or is just saying it for public relations purposes we don’t know. But we do believe that Ryan’s time in New York will not be as good as he hopes if he continues to stick with Sanchez.

Mark has not developed and does not appear capable of leading a high-scoring offense. While most people recognize that Rex Ryan is an excellent defensive coach, not being honest about Sanchez’s deficiencies will likely keep him from winning the Super Bowl he has guaranteed so many times, and it will likely result in years of disappointment. Standing by Sanchez may be admirable, but it could end up being Rex’s downfall.