Drew Stanton never was going to start for the Detroit Lions. Not with Matthew Stafford on the roster.
The New York Jets, however, led Stanton to believe he had a chance.
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"Had Mark (Sanchez) struggled, they said I'd have a chance to play," Stanton told Newsday. "So there was no better opportunity than that, and I was excited about it."
Stanton signed with the Jets on March 16. The team traded for Tim Tebow five days later. Stanton immediately requested a trade and was dealt to the Indianapolis Colts -- where he doesn't have a chance to start with No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Luck wearing blue and white.
Stanton was worked over in the whole process. His free agency allowed him to pick the right situation -- one where he could compete for the starting job. Now Stanton is in the same position he left in Detroit.
The interesting part, though, is the Jets' promise. If they told Stanton he had a chance to start if Sanchez struggled, was Tebow given the same assurances? What do the Jets consider struggling? Sanchez is No. 26 in the NFL in passing yards (1,043) and No. 31 in passer rating (66.6), and he has thrown just six touchdown passes to go with six interceptions. His 48.4 completion percentage is dead last in the NFL.
This entire quarterback situation in New York is odd. The Jets traded for Tebow for a reason. And Sanchez hasn't done anything to dissuade the organization from giving Tebow a chance. Yet, Tebow remains a Wildcat option and has thrown just two passes all season.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
