"The Jets released Jerricho Cotchery on Thursday, and are expected to replace him with another veteran receiver, Derrick Mason.

A somber Cotchery said the Jets plan on releasing him if Mason passes a physical with the team Thursday. The Jets have yet to announce signing Mason.

In a twist, Jets coach Rex Ryan said Cotchery asked to be released or traded. Both he and quarterback Mark Sanchez said they tried to talk Cotchery into changing his mind.

Cotchery has been with the Jets since 2004. He said he wanted to spend his entire career as a Jet but that's not going to happen now. Cotchery said he expected to be released Thursday.

"I loved being a Jet," Cotchery said. "The main thing right now is I'm just focusing on moving forward. For me, I'm healthy and I'm ready to play football. Sometimes things don't work out the way you want to work out."

Cotchery had offseason back surgery and has been held out of practice on the physically unable to perform list. He said he is healthy and wants to practice. The injury likely prevented any possibility of the Jets trading him.

"Everyone wants that dream scenario where they play their entire career with one team but it doesn't happen that often," Cotchery said."