After June 1st the only difference between cutting him this year and next year is the salary the Jets will have to pay whoever is on the roster instead of him. So, let's say for argument that the Jets draft Zac Dysert in the 4th round. The competition in training camp will then be between Sanchez, Garrard, Dysert, McElroy and Simms. The expectation will be that either Sanchez or Garrard wins the job with the other kept on the roster as a ready backup. Dysert will likely make the team as a developmental player. Either McElroy or Simms could make the team but odds are that both of them get cut. Now if the Jets choose to cut Sanchez before camp the competition will be between Garrard and Dysert to see who starts, with Garrard a heavy favorite unless Dysert just blows people away in camp. The other of the two will be the ready backup. Either McElroy or Simms will be the third QB in that situation. Ok, so the cap ramifications of not keeping Sanchez will be that the Jets are paying Greg McElroy or Matt Simms salary and that's on the cap. That's it. There are no other ramifications for 2013 based on Sanchez absence. He counts the same $12.853M against the cap whether he is on the roster or not. Based on overthecap.com it looks like he actually counts less against 2014 if he's cut this year ($4.3M) than if he's retained and cut in 2014 ($4.8M). That's because he won't earn the $500K workout bonus this year if he's gone before it triggers.
Oh, well if that's the case then, sure, go ahead and cut him. I thought we were going to have to carry a big dead money amount on the cap for the next two years if we cut him this offseason and it was less or virtually nothing if we cut him next offseason. That's 90% of the reason I was in favor of keeping Sanchez through this year (8% because I want to wait and draft a QB next year and 2% still holding out the hope that he can bounce back with better support).
I'm 99% sure at some point we will draft a QB this year, but I think it will either be a project pick or us hoping to strike gold. I think realistically we're looking to get our man in the 2014 draft. Which at the moment looks like it could be a much stronger class
It's very possible that's what's going down. I think looking for a 2014 QB is a much tougher proposition though. I think there are going to be just as many questions as in this class unless you are in the top 2 or 3 picks. I don't think the Jets are going to be there and I think trading up is going to be next to impossible because of Clowney's presence alongside a QB or 2. Nobody is going to let you have the 1 or 2 pick because either one could be Clowney and the teams sitting there probably want a QB anyway.
Sadly I think your right and good post. One has to be very lucky when they are bad and how bad they are. The Colts really timed it well. If the Jets end up trading Revis after the draft and get a 2014 1st then maybe we have the firepower to trade up but that assumes the top two teams drafting don't have a QB need which is also unlikely. With the success of Griffin the deal made to acquire him might be the model people will be expecting for a tradeup to the top two spots next year. I really do hope the Jaguars take Geno Smith with their 2 this year as that will likely eliminate them from taking a top QB next year.
