Jets reportedly unsure if franchise QB is on their roster

If the New York Jets and Mark Sanchez end up parting ways sometime in the near future, people might point toward his ill-advised retreat into his own end zone Saturday -- and another untimely fourth-quarter giveaway -- as the beginning of the end of his tenure as the Jets' quarterback.

With his team desperately needing a victory in order to stay alive in the AFC wild-card chase, Sanchez laid an egg in a 29-14 loss loss to the New York Giants. The third-year pro completed 30 of 59 passes for 258 yards with one touchdown to two interceptions. He also took five sacks -- one of which resulted in a safety with the Jets trailing by six in the fourth-quarter.

Sanchez's poor play, as well as his overall up-and-down performance this season, now has the Jets seriously considering whether or not they have their franchise quarterback on their roster.

A league source told ProFootballTalk.com on Sunday that the Jets are beginning to realize that Sanchez, whom the team drafted with its first-round pick in 2009, might not be their guy.

Jets coach Rex Ryan has been very outspoken in his support for his beleaguered quarterback this season, but PFT reported that the team would not publicly acknowledge even a hint of a change in tune in regard to Sanchez.

Sanchez has two years remaining on his his rookie contract after this season -- he will earn a base salary of $8.5 million next year, according to PFT.

While the Jets have not been officially eliminated from the postseason, they will need a win against the Dolphins next week and a lot of help to earn a wild-card spot.