AP

Mark Sanchez is not the Jets’ starting quarterback, but he believes he proved in training camp and the preseason that he is the Jets’ best quarterback when healthy.

Sanchez told Rich Eisen of NFL Network that suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason is particularly tough for him because he is sure he — not Geno Smith — would have been named the starting quarterback if he were healthy.

“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.

If Smith plays well, however, Sanchez may not get back on the field no matter how well rehab of his shoulder goes. Even if Sanchez won the competition over the summer, that doesn’t mean the job will be his when he’s healthy enough to play.