Zach Wilson benched; Mike White to start for New York Jets
Only 20 games into his career, Zach Wilson has lost his grip on the New York Jets‘ starting quarterback job. Head coach Robert Saleh announced on Wednesday that Mike White will be replacing Wilson as the team’s signal-caller for its Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears.
Coach Saleh announces that QB Mike White will start Sunday vs. Chicago. pic.twitter.com/JiXTlWKu2r
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 23, 2022
Saleh made it clear that Wilson’s career with the Jets “is not over.” He adds that they want to get Wilson back on the field at some point this season and that the “young man needs a reset.” Saleh labeled the benching as a “small setback” that is “not putting a nail in his coffin.”
Coach Saleh says the intent is for QB Zach Wilson to get back on the field at some point this year. pic.twitter.com/R8Cg22B2Wu
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 23, 2022
Robert Saleh said he gets what benching him says "in the moment."
"He's capable of so much more than what he's playing at … the issues for him are so fixable. But he just needs to reset."
"We haven't wavered in our belief that he's the future of this franchise." #Jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) November 23, 2022
Saleh says he does not think the Jets’ locker room “hates” Wilson but did say there may be “a little irritation at the moment”.
Robert Saleh said "maybe there's a little irritation at the moment" but he doesn't think the #Jets locker room hates Zach Wilson.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) November 23, 2022
The Jets plan to make Joe Flacco their backup for Sunday’s game against Chicago. Wilson will be inactive.
Wilson will NOT be active Sunday. Joe Flacco will be Mike White's backup. #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) November 23, 2022
It’s a stunning fall from grace for the man who New York selected with the second overall pick just 19 months ago. Wilson entered the league with tantalizing potential and closed his rookie season looking like an improved quarterback. But through seven games of his second season, Wilson proved to be the primary weakness on a team that appears to be legitimately capable of making a deep playoff run.
In seven starts, Wilson led the Jets to a 5-2 record, but his production wasn’t much assistance in that. Wilson has completed 105 of 189 passes (55.6%) for 1,279 yards (6.8 per attempt), 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions (72.6 rating). His QBR is 45.1.
White, 27, will make his fourth NFL start. He played in four games for the Jets last season, starting three. White completed 88 of 132 passes (66.7%) for 953 yards (7.2 per attempt), 5 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions (75.1 rating). He had a 50.5 QBR.
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I’ll be watching his body language on the sideline with interest.
Yay.
Zack deserves this but without aa more imaginative offensive game plan, the line holding up better and Saleh not making critical mistakes like playing for overtime when that adds zero advantage..
If you get the ball you’re going into the wind and if they get the ball they could score.
35 yard line with a minute plus and timeouts was 3 stooges like.
I agreed with you after watching the game but as I watched Vitor’s breakdown, and Michael’s grading there were plenty of plays for Wilson. The play calling was just fine, the execution was an issue. I was actually shocked to see how many plays were there for him, it’s not like he missed a throw or 2. He missed a bunch and a couple of would be TD’s. He’s just not capable of mentally making the plays he needs to make.
The line needs to play better but they are down to the 3rd string guard, 5th OT who is a guy they signed after the season, and a stop-gap Vet who’s giving his all but playing with a torn rotator cuff. Zach needs to make some plays to help them out right now. It can’t be on them, and like I said there were some plays for him.
I agree Zach needs this, I agree it’s not the end, but the team needs better QB play. I didn’t like or dislike the play for OT move. I think it’s one of those situations that if what you do doesn’t work it’s horrible, but if it does it’s smart. At that point the defense making a play to win the game was more likely than the offense.
Well handled by the Jets Organization. This should Give the Jets the boost they need on offence and to maintain there balance in the locker room. I would recommend some counseling for Zach in order to learn how to address the media better going forward. I would also recommend getting back to the basics with his training. Focusing on his mechanics. I don’t think his career is over either but he has a lot of work to do in order to get back on the field and regain the respect of his team mates. Good Call.