Mark Sanchez is FINISHED! Lol. The Geno Smith era has begun! As expected, the Jets announced that they will start the rookie quarterback in the season opener Sunday against the Buccaneers.
Report after the jump…
Via ESPN:
The last time they started a rookie in Week 1 was 2009, when it was Mark Sanchez, whom Smith is replacing.
The choice became obvious in recent days. The Jets tried to keep it secret, but Sanchez was ruled out for the game with a bruised joint in his throwing shoulder, sources said.
On paper, Sanchez outplayed Smith in the preseason, but it became clear over the last two weeks the organization wanted to make a change. Smith was handed the job despite missing a game with a sprained ankle and despite a three-interception debacle in the third game — his only extended outing.
In one sense, the former West Virginia star won it by default, with Sanchez battling the shoulder injury. In all likelihood, Sanchez would’ve been named the starter if he hadn’t been injured, sources said, but it created an opening for the organization to elevate Smith, albeit a huge risk.
It’s conceivable that Sanchez may never play again for the Jets. There’s no way the Jets will bench Smith if he’s playing well. Sanchez could miss a few weeks because of the shoulder injury, sources said.
