Updated

Mark Sanchez says he "absolutely" could be back with the New York Jets next season, and the injured quarterback thinks he'll be "better than ever."

Sanchez is out for the season with a shoulder injury and had surgery eight weeks ago after tearing his labrum in preseason. He says he has had no setbacks in rehab and jokes that "it sounds like I'll be bionic."

Sanchez was speaking publicly Tuesday for the first time since his surgery. He was volunteering at a community kitchen at Church of the Redeemer in Morristown.

The quarterback has two years remaining on his contract. But his $13.1 million salary cap number for next season makes it unlikely the team would keep him at that amount. Sanchez, though, says he plans on remaining with the Jets.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org