Since Geno Smith joined the Jets, it has been assumed he would push Mark Sanchez for the starting job. Indeed, that has been the case.
And it’s just a two-player competition for that job as the preseason begins.
On Wednesday, head coach Rex Ryan indicated Greg McElroy, who started a game late in 2012, is not in the mix to push Sanchez and Smith at this time.
“He’s competing for the No. 3 job right now with (Matt) Simms,” Ryan said of McElroy, according to a transcript from the club. “So he’s not competing for the starting job.”
McElroy, 25, appeared in two games in 2012. In his start, he committed a pair of turnovers in the home finale to San Diego, and Sanchez was back in the lineup for the Week 17 defeat at Buffalo.
Simms, 24, was waived last August.
With the Jets not yet deciding on a starter, game snaps for McElroy and Simms can’t be a major priority for the club. They need to get both Sanchez and Smith ready. The competitors for the No. 3 spot must make the most of the chances they get starting with Friday’s game at Detroit.