Mark Sanchez Ready to Roll for the Jets

The New York Jets and No. 5 overall pick Mark Sanchez have agreed to a five-year contract worth a guaranteed $28 million and up to $60 million in incentives. It’s the richest deal in Jets history.

The Jets traded three players and two draft picks to select Sanchez in April’s draft, despite the fact he started just 16 games at Southern California. The quarterback taken before Sanchez, Matthew Stafford, who was chosen first overall, had signed a six-year deal, with $41.7 million guaranteed. Those are the only two first-round picks to have signed thus far.

Sanchez all along insisted to his representatives that he wanted the negotiations to be taken care of quickly and not set up a potential holdout situation. After all, he wants to start this year, and the fact that he won’t be a holdout will only help that cause.

Typically, talks don’t really heat up with No. 1 picks until training camp nears, when both sides feel more pressure to reach an agreement. It is believed this is the earliest the Jets have signed their top pick. New York’s last two top picks, linebacker Vernon Gholston and cornerback Darrelle Revis, reported to training camp late while trying to negotiate deals.

“It sends the right message,” Sanchez said. “It’s not in my makeup to hold out like that. That would’ve just been terrible for me. This just eliminates that whole factor. I’ll be there Day 1, ready to go and compete. It’s going to be a good time and a competitive time.”

Reportedly Sanchez has been outperformed by Kellen Clemens in the team’s offseason workouts, which end Thursday. New coach Rex Ryan has said the quarterback competition will be fierce, but now Sanchez can receive the same amount of reps, and it’s clear the Jets want him to win the job.

The Jets, who finished 9-7 but missed the playoffs last year under Brett Favre, open the season Sept. 13 at Houston. New York is +600 on WagerWeb.com to win the AFC East this season.