"Chad Pennington, he of the thrice-repaired throwing shoulder, isn't ready to call it a career. The popular former Jets quarterback intends to play in 2010, even as a backup, and he's willing to consider any offer.

Even from the Jets.

While acknowledging it "would be tough" to return to the team that fired him only 19 months ago, Pennington - an unrestricted free agent in four weeks - told the Daily News Thursday he would definitely listen if GM Mike Tannenbaum called.

"I'd be crazy not to be interested," the current Dolphin said at a youth-football clinic, one of many NFL-sponsored events during Super Bowl week. "Once you think you're too big where you can't entertain every opportunity, you'd better be careful because you'll be looking from the outside in."

Pennington, who was dumped in August 2008 to make room for Brett Favre, sounded like he prefers to stay in Miami as Chad Henne's backup. But the Dolphins have remained noncommittal, so Pennington is preparing to play the free-agent game.

But the Jets? Pennington, who admitted he still gets "a little upset" on occasion when he reflects on his breakup in New York, conceded that a return would require some pride-swallowing.

"Would it be tough? Sure it would be tough, emotionally, but it's always a possibility," he said. "I never rule anything out. Absolutely."

The Jets are committed to Mark Sanchez, but Tannenbaum, in his end-of-the-season news conference, didn't dismiss the possibility of acquiring an experienced backup.

Even though Kellen Clemens won his only start in 2009, filling in when Sanchez was injured, he was underwhelming and didn't win the confidence of the organization. He also has fallen behind Sanchez in terms of experience (nine career starts to Sanchez's 18), and the team would like a seasoned backup who can be a mentor to their still-maturing franchise quarterback."