Jets to handle QBs White, Wilson on ‘week-to-week’ basis
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It sounds like quarterback Mike White will start over Zach Wilson for the 7-4 New York Jets at the 9-2 Minnesota Vikings this Sunday.
According to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk and Rich Cimini of ESPN, New York head coach Robert Saleh isn’t confirming anything about his long-term plans for the sport’s most important position beyond the first weekend of December.
« Like I said, we’re gonna go week-to-week, » Saleh said about the club’s quarterback situation, per Alper and Robert Sanchez of SNY. « There’s things we’d love to see Zach accomplish over the course of, we’ll call it a ‘reset.’ This is Mike White’s opportunity, that doesn’t change. Mike’s got an opportunity to go stack another great day up this week. When we feel like Zach is ready to roll, he’s gonna roll. »
Saleh demoted Wilson to scout team duties last week due to lackluster play during and a poor attitude after the 10-3 loss at the New England Patriots on Nov. 20. White was subsequently named QB1 for the Week 12 home game against the Chicago Bears and completed 22-of-28 passes for 315 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the 31-10 blowout victory.
Saleh said last week that Wilson needed « a reset » amid whispers that the second-year pro had lost at least some members of the locker room.
« Everyone loves Mike, » Saleh added during his Monday comments. « I think everyone in the locker room really has a genuine appreciation for each other. But I think when you’re having success… it’s fun. Football is fun, it’s supposed to be fun and when you’re having success it is fun.
« Guys are playing selfless football and when everybody is playing selfless — I always say when you give with no intent to receive it comes back twofold. Guys are really playing for one another, and I don’t want to take away from Mike’s infectious personality because it is, but it’s not just the quarterback position, I think in all three phases guys are playing for one another and having fun playing with one another. »
Saleh insisted that « the full intent is to get Zach ready to play football again » even if there’s no known timeline for when the 23-year-old could return to the top of the depth chart. While Saleh wouldn’t declare the starting job is White’s to lose, his words indicated that is the case for a team that may be merely average quarterback play away from competing for more than just a playoff berth.
As noted by ESPN stats, the Jets’ defense ranks fourth in points allowed with an average of 17.8 points surrendered per contest.
