The quarterback controversy in New York appears to have no end in sight. And another wrinkle just made it even more complicated.
Mark Sanchez is keeping his starting job for now. But after being benched for third-stringer Greg McElroy last week, and chants for Tim Tebow continuing to fill the stands at MetLife Stadium, Sanchez may not have that job for very long.
Now, as the Jets travel to Jacksonville for a showdown with the Jaguars on Sunday, the quarterback set to line up on the other side of the field is telling his own story of courtship with Rex Ryan‘s team.
Chad Henne, who took over for Blaine Gabbert as the Jags’ starting quarterback just three weeks ago, revealed that the Jets pursued him aggressively to be their backup quarterback when free agency began in March, according to the New York Post.
“Well, [Jets offensive coordinator] Tony [Sparano] called me as soon as free agency opened,” Henne said. “Obviously Mark signed his contract before that, but they still were interested and wanted to get me in on a visit”
Henne admitted some interest in the Jets’ job, especially with Sparano’s aggressive pitch, but felt there were better opportunities out there for him.
“I had two visits already lined up, here at Jacksonville and also in Seattle, so New York kinda would’ve been my third opportunity,” Henne added. “But it just didn’t work out. It was more coach Sparano and his offense feeling comfortable with me running that more than anything. Whether it worked out or not, it is what it is.”
With so many questions already surrounding the Jets’ quarterback position, and Henne’s impressive play in place of Gabbert, his revelation may only make things even more complicated ahead of Sunday’s game. But for the time being at least, the Jets are still Sanchez’s team and they’ll have to live with that fact. Even if they secretly wish Henne was the one taking snaps.
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Thumbnail via Facebook/Jacksonville Jaguars
