The New York Jets have seen enough of the Zach Wilson era after 20 games.
Head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Wednesday that Wilson would be inactive for this Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears and that Mike White would start in Wilson’s place. News first broke of the Jets’ decision earlier in the morning when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jets players were informed that Wilson would not start Sunday’s game following a team meeting on Wednesday morning.
The latest turn comes even as the Jets coaching staff tries to maintain that this won’t be the end for Wilson with Gang Green.
“Zach’s career here is not over,” Saleh stated. “I know that’s going to be the narrative. I know that’s what everybody wants to shoutout and that’s not even close to the case. The intent, the full intent, is to make sure Zach gets back on the football field at some point this year. When that is, I’ll make that decision and I’m going to take it day by day.”
Wilson was 5-2 as New York’s starter this season with four touchdowns and five interceptions. His 45.1 QBR was rated one of the worst in the NFL.
The former second-overall selection completed just 9 of 22 passes for 77 yards and no touchdowns in New York’s 10-3 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Following the game, Wilson was criticized for not taking responsibility for the loss and seemingly upsetting several players in the Jets locker room.
The latest turn came after Saleh announced that Wilson would not be guaranteed the starting role ahead of their Week 12 matchup. Wilson was the second overall selection for the Jets in the 2021 draft and has played in 20 games throughout his early NFL career.
The BYU product has another two years on his rookie deal after this season and carries a dead cap hit of over $20 million should New York move on from him during the 2023 offseason.
New York has not named a starter in Wilson’s place. Neither Robert Saleh nor Wilson has commented on the latest news.
