Former Jets QB Mark Sanchez was inserted in to a 2013 preseason game against the Giants that ultimately led to his season-ending injury. The controversial move by HC Rex Ryan was never adequately explained.
In a conversation with the media on Monday, Jets head coach Rex Ryan spoke about why he decided to put in former starting QB Mark Sanchez in the 4th quarter of a preseason game against the New York Giants in 2013.
“My opinion was that nobody had done enough to win the job at that time; that’s why Mark was in there,” Ryan told the NY Daily News.
Entering the preseason game, Sanchez was neck and neck with then-rookie Geno Smith. With Smith starting the game, he committed four turnovers and was benched in the 4th quarter. But instead of putting in the third string QB, Rex Ryan controversially decided to put his former starter in the game. Several players in, Sanchez was hit by Marvin Austin – severely injuring his shoulder and resulting in his placement on injured reserve, and later his release from the Jets.
“That was a tough situation obviously,” Ryan said. “If I could go back and change things, of course you would. You don’t want anybody to ever get hurt. But again, you’ve got to decide guys, somebody has to play.”
With Sanchez on the sideline, Smith became the starter and went 8-8. Sanchez signed with the Eagles after being cut by the Jets in March.
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