Rex Ryan Names Mark Sanchez Starter for Jets' Game at Jacksonville

Rex Ryan Names Mark Sanchez Starter for Jets’ Game at Jacksonville

by Mike Cole on Wed, Dec 5, 2012 at 8:19AM

If Rex Ryan is going to go down, he’s apparently going to do so with his guy under center.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Ryan is going to name Mark Sanchez his starting quarterback for the Jets’ game this Sunday in Jacksonville against the Jaguars. This comes just a few days after Ryan pulled Sanchez during the team’s 7-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Though nothing is final, one team source said he’s “almost certain” that Jets HC Rex Ryan will name Mark Sanchez his starting quarterback.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2012

The team confirmed the move Wednesday morning.

Sanchez has been awful as of late, and it finally led to him being pulled on Sunday at home against the Cardinals. The USC product was just 10 of 21 for 97 with three more interceptions on Sunday before being pulled in favor of Greg McElroy.

McElroy did complete five of seven passes for 29 yards and what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown late in New York’s win. It was the second-year pro’s NFL debut.

Further complicating matters for Ryan is the potential return of Tim Tebow this weekend, as he may come back from a rib injury. That might make things real interesting. Tebow is a hero in Florida, particularly the Jacksonville area, where he is from.