There was a quote from an air traffic union rep on one of news channels earlier saying that the pilots had seen an airfield below them and were at that time considering making an approach into that airport. If I heard correctly the airport in question was Teterboro Airport.
MSNBC reported that Air Traffic Control (New York Departures) had offered Teterboro but pilot elected to ditch. Commentator on at the time said that pilot would have seen Newark and Teterboro clearly on departure but may have wished to avoid more populated areas. As ever - treat with a pinch of salt, it is from an American news networks after all!