The New York Jets consistently have said all offseason that they will hold a genuine competition at quarterback. It's a competition that many folks believed David Garrard could win, if he stayed healthy.
But Garrard won't be around long enough to find out.
"Having to call it quits," Garrard wrote in a text message to NFL.com's Adam Schein. "My knee is not holding up. Continuing to swell after practices."
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport first reported Wednesday that Garrard told two players he no longer planned to be with the Jets. Nothing official has been confirmed by the team, but Garrard indicated to NFL.com's Jeff Darlington that an announcement will come soon enough.
"I'm not talking about that right now. Maybe tomorrow or the next day," Garrard told Darlington.
Garrard started training camp in Miami last season atop the Dolphins' depth chart, but a knee surgery wound up ending his season before it started. Garrard hasn't taken a snap in the NFL since 2010. We doubt he ever will again.
If Garrard truly is done with the Jets, Greg McElroy's roster spot looks secure. It also would be more difficult for the Jets to let Mark Sanchez go before the season.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.