David Garrard has urged the New York Jets to ignore the politics of the game and make the best quarterback on their roster the starter.
The AFC East side selected Geno Smith in the second round of last week's Draft, and he will compete with Mark Sanchez, Greg McElroy and Garrard for the role.
The 35-year-old told The Star-Ledger: "It shouldn't be any politics. It should be the best guy playing. With that, if I'm going at it and I'm giving you my all and I'm healthy and you beat me at it, then that's great for the team.
"Fortunately, I'm so old, I don't care about politics anymore. I don't have to be here. I don't have to come out and take any more paychecks.
"I'm really here because I wanna be here and I want to get back on the field or I just want to be a part of a team again and pass on my knowledge."
Sanchez, who was the starter for the majority of the 2012 season, is guaranteed a salary of $8.25m (£5.3m) in 2013.
Sian Cowper
