Mark Sanchez: I won the New York Jets' quarterback competition

Mark Sanchez said he would have won the Jets' quarterback battle if healthy. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Mark Sanchez reportedly is facing season-ending shoulder surgery, but the Jets quarterback told NFL Network's Rich Eisen that he could get back on the field this season -- and he won the team's starting job before he got injured.

Sanchez told Eisen that he was sure he beat out rookie Geno Smith if he had not torn his labrum in a preseason game.

“I won the competition. There’s no doubt,” Sanchez said.

Despite reports that Sanchez will likely need season-ending shoulder surgery, Sanchez told Eisen that doctors are “pleasantly surprised” by his progress, and the plan is for Sanchez to rehab his injury and get back on the field this year.

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Smith quarterbacked the Jets to an 18-17 win that included a fourth-quarter comeback.

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