Mike Tannenbaum has admitted that his decision to tie quarterback Mark Sanchez to a big deal in March before he had a terrible 2012 season ultimately lost him his job as general manager at the New York Jets.

Sanchez signed a five-year, £37m deal before throwing 18 interceptions and giving away eight fumbles in a 66.9-rated season.

The Jets' poor offensive season ultimately led to an overhaul of staff at Florham Park.

"I don't think I would have signed a quarterback to an extension knowing that he'd have 26 turnovers," Tannenbaum NFL.com quotes Tannenbaum as saying.

"Sanchez was a young guy, football's important to him, and we came up with a deal at the time that we thought was good for both sides.

"Obviously, he didn't play as well this year, we didn't coach as well this year, we didn't get him as good players this year. If we're sitting here a year or two from now, I still think Mark's going to be a good, credible quarterback in the NFL."

Sanchez threw 2,883 from 453 attempts in the 2012 season.