It appears that the Kellen Clemens era is over for the Jets.
With Mark Sanchez already ordained as the franchise quarterback and Clemens a restricted free agent, the writing was on the wall for the former second-round pick. According to the New York Post, the Jets met Wednesday with veteran quarterback Mark Brunell, signaling that Gang Green might rather have a more experienced backup for the young Sanchez than Clemens, who was ousted from the starting gig last season by the rookie from USC.
Brunell spent the past two years backing up Drew Brees in New Orleans, throwing just 30 regular-season passes but leaving the Big Easy with a Super Bowl ring on his finger.
Were the lefty to sign with the Jets, he likely wouldn’t see much more action, but his experience both as a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion will be looked to as a stabilizing force behind Sanchez.
Signing Brunell will not be a long-term solution as Sanchez’s backup, as the gunslinger will turn 40 during the 2010 season.
