Mark Sanchez says he beat out Geno Smith

On Thursday, it was announced the New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez’s shoulder injury would likely require surgery and the fifth-year pro would be out for the season. Sanchez would prefer rehab to surgery in an attempt to play in 2013, but surgery looks like a better option.

The Jets selected West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith in the second round of this year’s draft to not only be their quarterback of the future, but to compete with Sanchez right away. The two battled throughout training camp and the preseason until Sanchez suffered his injury. Smith was then named the starter and led the Jets to an 18-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week one. Smith completed 24 of his 38 pass attempts for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Despite Smith likely starting the rest of the season (and likely beyond), Sanchez believes had he not been hurt, he was still the man for the job.

“I won the competition,” Sanchez told the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen. “There’s no doubt.”

Over his career, Sanchez is 1,028 of 1,867 for 12,092 yards with 68 touchdowns and 69 interceptions.

Smith and the Jets will take on the New England Patriots tonight at 8:25 pm EST. The game is on NFL Network.