New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh got ridiculed by a former No. 1 overall pick
It’s not a secret that there are differing beliefs on how the New York Jets handled Zach Wilson‘s development. Some place the blame for Wilson’s NFL failures solely on Wilson himself, while others believe the Jets set him up for failure and didn’t give him the proper time (or tools) to develop.
Before the Jets parted ways with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, he admitted that the team should have handled the quarterback situation differently. Recently, we also saw Joe Douglas’ take on the situation. Douglas believes first-round quarterbacks should be ready to start once drafted, but he admitted that the team didn’t properly help the BYU product develop.
Co-hosting a segment on SiriusXM Radio, former Pro Bowl quarterback Alex Smith talked about the development of young quarterbacks under rookie head coaches. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kyle Trask’s development (under former Jets head coach Todd Bowles) was the original point of discussion, the Jets and Robert Saleh caught a stray from the former 49ers quarterback.
“Yeah, Robert Saleh, you’re a great defensive mind and coordinator, but like you have no idea how to develop a quarterback. The coordinator you hired never called plays,” Smith said. “So that’s a completely different animal. And as much as you think you’re prepared to handle that development of a young kid, you’re just not.”
Saleh has consistently commented on the Jets’ desire to continue developing Zach Wilson, but actions speak louder than words.
After a rough year in 2022, Wilson was benched for Mike White after his 77-yard passing performance against the New England Patriots in Week 11. Wilson was given another chance in Week 15 against the Detroit Lions, but was benched again for Chris Streveler after another horrific showing against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.
This season, the Jets will be starting future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. With the Jets unlikely to pick up Wilson’s fifth-year option next offseason, time will tell if Wilson’s story in New York has been told – or if his second act is yet to come.
