Get Rex Ryan a white coat and a stethoscope, in preparation for his next career as a doctor.
While the Jets coach was tap-dancing around questions about quarterback Mark Sanchez’s future, he made one declaration that’s hard to argue with.
“We’re acting like he’s dead. Mark Sanchez is not dead,” Ryan said, via Seth Walder of the New York Daily News. “Sanchez is going to be 100 percent healthy, guys. It’s not like his career’s over.”
Well, perhaps not, but every appearance is that his Jets career is with his season-ending shoulder surgery (and the reported blow-up with management that preceded it). The precocious play of rookie Geno Smith and Sanchez’s contract makes is all but certain he’ll be gone by the time he’s well.
That one, Ryan couldn’t answer as definitively, especially after mentioning of IR’d linebacker Antwan Barnes: “Hope he has a speedy recovery and he’s a Jet next year.”
“I don’t want to get into that,” Ryan replied when asked if Sanchez would play for the Jets again. “Whether he’s here or whatever, . . . our thing is doing what’s best for Mark, which would be to get him healthy. . . .
“Well again, I’ll say it about anybody. Guys, you know how I feel about all of our players. I never want to lose a player ever. But I also understand there’s business sides for every decision, for Barnes included and Mark and every player.”
And whether the Jets want to admit it or not, that bit of business that pertains to Sanchez appears to be terminal.