PHOENIX (AP) - Rex Ryan says Mark Sanchez will be the New York Jets' starting quarterback for ``the first snap'' in minicamp, but insists there will be an open competition at the position.

The Jets coach says at the NFL meetings Tuesday that the team needs ``to get better'' at the position.'' Sanchez struggled mightily last year, and was benched in favor of third-stringer Greg McElroy for a game.

New York brought in veteran David Garrard to compete with Sanchez for the job, and McElroy, Matt Simms and Tim Tebow are also on the roster. While it's believed the Jets will either trade or release Tebow, Ryan says the popular backup will ``get a chance to compete. We'll see how the offseason plays out, but right now Tim is on our roster.''