Funviralpark White has missed the last two games after breaking a rib. With White out, the Jets reverted to last year’s first-round draft pick Zach Wilson. Wilson has not fared well in the last two weeks as he completed his 51% of passes with two touchdowns and he had two interceptions. The Jets lost both games.
Wilson experienced another low in Week 16 as he was benched for Chris Streveler during the game. As of Thursday night’s benching, Wilson had thrown for just 92 yards in his 18 attempts. Fans booed him off the field at halftime.
Joe Flacco will serve as backup behind White in Week 17. Wilson become inactive for the contest.
Wilson was scheduled to start 2022 as the Jets’ starter, but a knee injury delayed the start of the season. Flacco started his first three games for the team. Wilson returned in Week 4 and started his next seven contests for the team before being benched by White.
In three starts, White completed 62% of his passes and threw three touchdowns against two interceptions. All of his passing touchdowns came in one game as he defeated Chicago’s Bears, 31-10. The Jets are 1-2 with White starting this season.
White suffered a rib injury during the Week 14 loss against the Buffalo Bills and missed two games due to the problem. Wilson was installed as a starter again, but he was down a game and a half before being on the bench again. Despite putting Wilson on the bench multiple times, Jets head coach Robert Saleh continued to offer words of encouragement about Wilson after Thursday’s game.
The Jets are 7-8 and are two weeks away from the regular season. The teams still have outside shots to make the playoffs as they face Seattle and Miami away respectively.
Is this the end of Zach Wilson’s time with the Jets?
A return of White could likely mean the end of Wilson’s 2022 NFL season. Hmm.
Saleh has officially endorsed Wilson, but there are reports the Jets may be leaving him in the offseason.
If so, it would be quite a downfall for Wilson. Given his talent and draft pedigree, the 23-year-old Wilson shouldn’t be left out just because his full NFL season is less than his two.
But at the same time, he doesn’t seem to come close to that possibility. Considering the Jets’ strong skills player in his position and a promising defense, the team has no time to waste hoping that Wilson will figure it out.
With a capable quarterback, the Jets could already be a contender next season. If the teams don’t believe Wilson can turn things around quickly, both teams are better off moving on in the offseason.
