Russian deputy energy minister Ivan Matlashov said "the door is still open for Lukoil", and he expressed his hope that the contract would not be awarded to any other company.
The Jets already have Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Greg McElroy and Matt Simms under contract, and have expressed interest in David Garrard and possibly Brady Quinn.
Sources say that EarthLink (nasdaq: ELNK - news - people ) executives have privately expressed optimism that the company would be awarded the contract.
Reading expressed an interest in the Scot in the summer but he signed a new four-year contract at Peterborough in July after he was refused permission to speak to the Royals.