NEW YORK -- It felt like general manager John Idzik deferred to coach Rex Ryan on Thursday night when the New York Jets went defense on back-to-back picks in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
The temperature in the room changed Friday. Idzik definitively put his stamp on the franchise by selectingGeno Smith with the No. 39 overall pick of the draft.
The Jets did more than end the West Virginia quarterback's embarrassing free fall down the draft board. They also further clouded the future of Mark Sanchez, the one-time wonder boy who continues to slide deeper into the franchise ether.
Speaking at a late-night news conference, Idzik stopped short of saying Sanchez definitely will be with the team by training camp.
"One step at a time," the GM said.
Uncertainty reigns in Florham Park. What else is new?
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"What this means for Mark Sanchez is competition," Idzik said. "And Mark is open to that. We've had discussions about that and I think he buys into the fact that that helps him. It helps any player on the team and, as a result, it helps our team."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday the Jets are considering releasing Sanchez. It would be a murderous salary-cap charge, counting more than $12 million this year and $4.8 million in 2014, according to ProFootballTalk.com.
Those grim financial consequences would make it seem impossible for the Jets to dump Sanchez. Then again, cutting ties with the prior regime's quarterback would eliminate a summertime soap opera Idzik wants no part of.
Idzik has made one seismic move at quarterback. Is he about to make another?
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
