Both sides of the debate may have problems with Saleh’s comments
We officially have a quarterback controversy in East Rutherford.
This one seems to be born not of statistics or film, but an unusual debate of ceiling vs. floor.
When Robert Saleh announced that he was benching Zach Wilson for Mike White, he insisted that this was not the nail in the coffin and that Wilson would see the field again this season.
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
Following White’s electric performance against the Bears, Saleh put off any questions about reconsidering that stance, maintaining that the quarterback decision was a week-by-week proposition.
The questions got a little more pointed in Saleh’s Monday afternoon press conference following the Jets’ 27-22 loss to the Vikings. The coach doubled down on his stance, announcing that White will start in Week 14 with no change in the status quo while continuing to insist that the plan is for Wilson to start again in 2022.
Robert Saleh says the Jets' intent remains for Zach Wilson to play again this season: pic.twitter.com/OuR3BCoXkd
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 5, 2022
Ian O’Connor of the New York Post went right back at Saleh, saying, “My follow-up question would be, why? Because it looks like Mike White’s capable as a quarterback”—to which Saleh interjected, “Mike is capable”—”Why is that the intent still, to get Zach back on the field?”
Saleh said, “For Mike, and we’re going to stay status quo on all of it, this is Mike’s opportunity to make some noise. You never ask how your opportunity comes, you just take advantage of your opportunity and do the best you can. We’ve got all the faith in Mike. … I know the line ‘If you’ve got more than one quarterback, you have none,’ but we feel that we have three of them. … But right now, while Zach is focusing on reconnecting and doing all the different things we know he’s capable of, right now it’s Mike’s opportunity. I’d really like to just focus on Mike’s opportunity and give him the chance to succeed.”
However, the New York media would not let Saleh off the hook there. First, it was the Post‘s Brian Costello:
I asked Saleh if Mike White can ruin that plan. He dodged the question.
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) December 5, 2022
Saleh responded to Costello’s question with a smirk and said, “Is that a backdoor hypothetical? … He’s played really well.” In other words, he dodged the question.
Another reporter followed up and asked, “Are you at least open to the possibility that Mike White is your long-term quarterback and just happens to be a better football player than Zach Wilson? Is it at least a possibility that that could happen?”
Saleh dodged the question once more.
Robert Saleh asked if he’s open to possibility that Mike White, not Zach Wilson, is this team’s answer at QB because White might just a better QB than Wilson: “One week at a time, guys” #Jets
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 5, 2022
This press conference is sure to anger both sides of the White-Wilson Wars. The Whiters will be furious to hear that Saleh would even consider playing Zach Wilson over their hero, while the Wilsoners will scorn the questions and continue to denounce Saleh’s plan to start Mike White at all.
However, those who are Jets fans, rather than player fans, will root to see success from whoever is quarterbacking the team that week. For now, at least, that is Mike White.
Related Article: Why Mike White should be NY Jets’ QB1 for the rest of the season
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I listened to this press conf. It was classic cat-n-mouse play between the media and Saleh. Saleh really impressed me by handling the constantly re-phrased questioning about Zach. NY media is no doubt about it tough and smart and intense, and b/c of that we fans get the best sports coverage in the country. Saleh can handle the NY media. He does it without getting angry, without causing enemies, he doesn’t get pushed around, he’s forceful when needed, but he’s pretty earnest with guys. He’s been masterful, frankly. That’s not easy to do in this market.
I thought that Saleh did a good job with it, too. I agree that he’s handling the media well while also deflecting the criticism of his players. I’ve been very impressed.
I agree w/ your assessment that Saleh’s comments are intended to keep Zach motivated to work hard and improve. There would be little to gain by saying, “Mike is our guy from here on out”. Mike is gonna play hard regardless, understanding that this is his opportunity. Only Zach could be negatively impacted by the pronouncement.
I didn’t hear Saleh say that Zach would “start again this year”? I thought he said he’d “be on the field again this year”; could be a meaningless game or garbage time?
Either way, Mike is, in fact, our guy.
I thought I heard Saleh say that in his initial presser when he benched Zach, but I’ll go back and check that. I do think Mike White is the guy for this season, at least.
This is a non-story. Saleh made his position clear and too many reporters tried to make a controversy where existed. I get that beat reporters need something to write about, but they sounded more than a little obtuse.
Mike White is the starting quarterback. There is nothing to be gained for Saleh to discuss what may or may not happen, especially when he’s made it clear that he is not going to discuss it or engage in hypotheticals.
A beat writer would not be doing their job if they didn’t press Saleh for clarity about the quarterback position. This is a pretty unusual situation, to have sat a starting QB with the intent to bring them back in at an indeterminate time. Yes, it’s happened before with Tua and even Kirk Cousins to a certain extent, but it’s not that common. With the Jets in the thick of a playoff push, it’s reasonable to want to know what the team’s plans are.
I believe it’s pretty evident that the Jets are going to stick with White unless the wheels completely fall off. However, that’s just my read of the situation, and there is definitely ambiguity there when the coach outright maintains that he’s going to start Wilson again. Saleh could, conceivably, decline to say anything at all and maintain that it’s a week-to-week decision based on what he sees from each QB, but he’s been a little more specific than that. I suspect that’s to keep Wilson motivated, but again, I’m coming from the angle of thinking that Saleh has mentally committed to White but just won’t outright say so.