CARLSBAD, Calif. –- The New York Jets contacted the agent for free-agent quarterback JaMarcus Russell, a team source confirmed Wednesday, but the chance of anything materializing was categorized as "10 percent or less."
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The Jets did exploratory background on Russell, to see what he has been doing and gauge his fitness level since he was released by the Oakland Raiders in early May, the source said. It isn't known if the minimal interest was derived from the feedback or if that was the case before contact was made.
The Jets are interested in adding a veteran quarterback to back up starter Mark Sanchez. They have been linked to veteran Mark Brunell for weeks, but the interest in Russell -– however slight –- shows that they are looking at other possibilities. Quarterbacks Kellen Clemens, Erik Ainge and Kevin O'Connell also are on the Jets' roster.
Russell, the first overall pick in the 2007 draft, was released by the Raiders after they acquired quarterback Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins in April. Russell was a huge disappointment, partly because his weight routinely ballooned above 280 pounds.
