Rex Ryan has confirmed that Mark Sanchez will be the New York Jets' starting quarterback for their opening pre-season game.

The 26-year-old has been facing competition for the role from rookie QB Geno Smith throughout the team's training camp.

The Jets' head coach told reporters: "It's been an even competition, we've been rotating days and things like that. Certainly Mark's the incumbent. Again, the competition starts off and we'll see where it goes from here, but it seemed like the natural thing to do.

"You know, the pre-season doesn't end after the first pre-season game. We'll talk it through as much as possible and we said this is going to be an equal competition and that's exactly what it is."

The Jets face the Detroit Lions on Friday.