After quickly falling out of the running in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, the New York Jets announced late on Friday night that they are committing to beleaguered quarterback Mark Sanchez long term, signing the third-year quarterback to a three-year contract extension. The team held a conference call with reporters announcing the move, but did not disclose the terms of the deal.
The move is sure to draw confusion and some anger from Jets fans who watched Sanchez not only regress in his third season, but also lose control of the locker room while highly paid wide receiver Santonio Holmes lost focus and effort. Sanchez threw a career-high 26 touchdowns in 2011, but also threw 18 interceptions, his performance suffering while the Jets didn't capitalize on opportunities to make the playoffs down the stretch.
He had two years left on his lucrative rookie contract. In the conference call, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum admitted the team inquired about Peyton Manning, but had been in discussion to extend Sanchez for weeks.
For reaction to the Sanchez extension, visit Jets blog Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York.