Can the New York Jets Afford to Keep Mark Sanchez at Quarterback?

Changes are desperately needed for the New York Jets and the team can ill-afford to keep Mark Sanchez at quarterback.

Sanchez has simply been too mediocre for too long to justify starting any longer. The development process has come and gone. All that is left is a four-year veteran that is completing just 55.4 percent of his passes in 2012.

This is not the type of player that a franchise can be built around. Does that mean that backup Tim Tebow is a long-term solution?

Perhaps not, but Sanchez continuously proves that he is not the answer.

The Jets signal-caller has just four interception-free games all season. He has had seven games of less than 200 yards passing and just one pass of over 50 yards.

How can New York continue to sit idly by as Sanchez leads a completely mediocre offense?

The Jets have a great defense that was able to propel the team and Sanchez into two AFC Championship Games, but offensive help is required at this point.

Teams are not afraid of Sanchez beating them through the air. New York can rarely set up their "ground-and-pound" philosophy because there is such a lack of offensive balance.

The box is loaded with defenders as teams dare Sanchez to throw over the top of them and beat them vertically.

In other words, Sanchez is the problem and not the solution.

New York needs to finally admit the mistake in drafting him and look towards the future at quarterback. Whether that future includes free agency or the draft is unclear, but it cannot include Sanchez.

The Jets' 6-8 record this season is not completely Sanchez's fault, but the former Trojan is rarely going to be described as a catalyst for success either. 

A complete overhaul is needed for New York and Sanchez should be the first one to go.