The 2012 season was a virtual quarterback carousel for the Jets. Although Mark Sanchez was the starter for the majority of it, the spector of Tim Tebow hung over his shoulder all season long.
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And Sanchez's own play didn't help his cause. He finished the season with 26 turnovers,
including 18 interceptions. He had just 13 touchdowns. Sanchez averaged just 6.4 yards per pass.
Tebow's presence made it even more of a surprise when coach Rex Ryan named third-string quarterback Greg McElroy as the starter for Week 16 against the Chargers after benching Sanchez who threw five interceptions against the Titans.
From the start, the trade for Tebow created non-stop headlines in New York. The anticipation of his wildcat package remained throughout the season. However, Tebow (who was hampered for several weeks with a rib injury) ran the ball just 32 times for 102 yards. Earlier in the preseason, the coaches indicated he might run as many as 20 plays per game.
Sanchez was re-inserted as the starter for the final game of the year against Buffalo after McElroy suffered a concussion in his one start against the Chargers. They lost 28-9.
Now the question, which started several weeks ago, will build -- is Sanchez safe or are his days as the Jets starting quarterback over? If the Jets trade him they will have to eat $12.8 million. Sanchez is moving forward focused only on retaining that role.
"That's what I'm planning on," he said Monday. "Until I'm told differently, I'm a Jet."
Tebow was not made available to the media. There have been reports that the Jets may trade Tebow to the Jaguars. Jacksonville is his home town.
Stay dialed in on the New York Jets by following correspondent Lisa Zimmerman on Twitter @CBSJets and @LisaZimmerman.
