Mark Sanchez has won the first battle in the New York Jets’ quarterback competition against rookie Geno Smith. Jets head coach Rex Ryan said Tuesday Sanchez would start the team’s first preseason game, according to ESPNNewYork.com.
During his announcement Ryan said the choice “seemed like the natural thing to do.” Smith will get also get reps with the first-team offense but later in the game.
The Jets head coach said the QB competition is currently “even.”
According to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, Sanchez was better than Smith during training camp.
"He's earned it," Mornhinweg said. "He's had an outstanding camp."
The likely scenario moving forward would be for Smith to start behind center for game two.
"The preseason doesn't end after this first preseason game, OK?" Ryan said. "We'll take it through as much as possible. We said this would be an equal competition and it's going to be a competition. That's exactly what it is."
Mornhinweg added that Smith—who had gone most of training camp without throwing an interception—was performing well but he had "dipped just a little bit, so he has to recover."
Jets center Nick Mangold said during the offseason that Sanchez was the favorite among his teammates to start and that Sanchez gave the Jets “the best chance” to win.
Now, he’s not as definitive.
"I think Mark can still win it," he said. "The competition they've had going has been fantastic. It's making them both better. We want to win, so whoever gives us the best chance to win, we want out there."
Mangold also talked about Smith’s progression.
"He's done a good job since coming back [for camp], understanding the playbook and the calls," Mangold said. "He's a rookie, so there will be little things that happen along the way, but he's learning from it. The good part is, he rarely makes the same mistake twice, which is a good sign."
According to Ryan, although Sanchez is getting the start on Friday the team’s final choice for the Week 1 starter will be “a logical progression.”
Neither Sanchez or Smith was available to talk to the media on Tuesday.
The Jets' first preseason game will be played against the Lions.
