2012 NFL Free Agents: New York Jets Considering Free-Agent QB Chad Henne?

If there's one way for the New York Jets to kill all the Peyton Manning-to-New-York talk, it's signing a different back-up quarterback to push starter Mark Sanchez.

According to Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com, Miami Dolphins free-agent quarterback Chad Henne might be that guy. 

The buzz around the NFL is that the Jets are one of the top candidates to land Henne once free agency begins on March 13. 

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The New York Jets are considered a strong contender to land Henne. They’re seeking a quarterback — at the right price — to push foundering starter Mark Sanchez. Henne also would be reunited in New York with new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, who, ironically enough, also was shown the door in South Florida when fired as head coach last December.

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Marvez wrote that Henne is "drawing strong consideration from teams seeking a '1A' option — the guy who can push a suspect starter for the job but not command starter’s money."

With a limited number of quality quarterbacks currently on the market—Drew Brees is expected to be re-signed or franchise tagged and Alex Smith is wanted back in San Francisco—there will be some competition for Henne's services. 

However, it's hard to find a better fit for both sides than Henne landing in New York. 

For the Jets, they'd be getting a starting-quality quarterback who has vast knowledge in Tony Sparano's offense. He's also young and has starting experience in the NFL.

The worst case scenario here? Henne pushes the underachieving Sanchez to be a better player in a back-up role, and the light begins to come on for Sanchez in New York. 

Best case (but unlikely) scenario? Henne blossoms into the above-average starter that many thought he was capable of when Miami drafted him in 2008, and Sanchez is regulated to the bench.

For Henne, the possibility of getting a fresh start in a situation that may be more fluid than some think would seemingly be a top want this offseason. The Jets can offer that situation right away in 2012.

Marvez pointed out that there are plenty of positives to be had in Henne's game.

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But there are things to like about Henne. He turns 27 in July, which is still a relatively young age in NFL quarterbacking years. He already has 31 career starts. He was a 61.1-percent passer in 2009 and 2010 before dipping to 57.1 last season. Henne also wasn’t surrounded by high-end offensive talent. His best receiving target was the temperamental Brandon Marshall, who never formed a close bond with Henne. Henne also spent his first three seasons under a coordinator (Dan Henning) who was pushed into retirement after the 2010 campaign for not fielding a dynamic enough offense.

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If the Jets can get Henne at a manageable price, I don't see many downsides to courting him to New York. This is one of those low-risk, high-reward moves that either pay off handsomely or are forgotten in a second.

And if Henne can find a better situation to fall into than the Jets', I'd like to hear about it. 

This move seems like a win-win scenario for both sides.