Mark Sanchez made his first public comments Monday since the Jets traded for Tim Tebow to be his backup at quarterback.
“I’m not worried about losing my spot,” Sanchez said on a conference call hours after Tebow’s mammoth press conference at Jets headquarters.
“My attitude anytime we add a player to our team is if they can help us win, I’m on board. Sign him up, whether it’s a draft player or a free agent or a trade. We’re judged, and as a quarterback, I’m judged on getting wins for this team. That’s my primary focus.
“If Tim’s going to help us win, then I’m excited about that.”
The trade for Tebow has been perceived as a future problem for Sanchez should he underperform and Jets fans turn on him calling for the popular backup.
Asked if he feels threatened, Sanchez replied, “Not at all.”
“I don’t think he’s a distraction. I’m just focused on playing well and improving this offseason and working on the individual things I need to improve and that’s taking care of the football and making good decisions with the ball,” Sanchez said. “That stuff happens whether you’re Tim Tebow or not. They call for the backup anytime you’re not playing to your potential. That’s just part of the job if you’re not playing well.”
In previous incarnations of the Jets’ Wildcat formation, Sanchez at times lined up as a wide receiver. Rex Ryan said Sunday that Tebow will be on the field for approximately 20 plays a game.
“It’s well-documented that I’m not thrilled about playing wide receiver or coming off the field, but that’s just how I’m programmed and any quarterback’s programmed like that,” Sanchez said. “The way I feel about the Wildcat really is secondary. Our team goal is what’s most important and that’s winning.
“I’m a team guy and I’ll do whatever it takes to win. If changing a few things up a couple of times a game is what we need to do then I’m totally on board.”
Sanchez said he did not watch Tebow’s press conference; he was throwing. He added that he waited to comment on the trade, made in principle last Wednesday, so he could “let the dust kind of settle.”
Tebow in his remarks said he and Sanchez had sent text messages to each other and were eager to work together.