Rex Ryan isn't ready to talk about next season with two games left in this one. Everyone else, of course, wants to know what lies ahead for embattled quarterback Mark Sanchez.
The New York Jets coach shot down a report suggesting the team would explore a trade for Sanchez in the offseason.
"That didn't come from me," Ryan told reporters, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. "I have absolutely zero focus on that right now. That's for another day."
Ryan was repeatedly prodded by reporters to address the future under center after he named third-stringer Greg McElroy his starter for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers. Sanchez is owed a guaranteed $8.25 million in 2013, and we don't expect him to accept a pay cut.
When the subject of Michael Vick was raised, Ryan shot back, saying, "I think I'll focus on the players we have on this roster instead of somebody else's players."
Meanwhile, the problem of Tim Tebow still floats in the atmosphere. Brought in to spice up the offense, Tebow has been largely invisible/ineffective under offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, who didn't exactly receive a ringing endorsement from Rex.
"You know the policy of this organization is not to discuss those things until after the season," Ryan said, when asked if Sparano would be back in 2013.
Ryan also praised Sparano's consistent work ethic, but results on the field have been uneven bordering on disastrous for the 6-8 Jets. Ryan summed it up best when he seemed to speak for short-handed coaches everywhere:
"I'll be honest with you," he said. "If we had Tom Brady, I'd be happy with that. We don't."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
