New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh today announced that former starting quarterback Zach Wilson would become the team’s primary backup to starter Mike White. Wilson moves ahead of veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco who slides back to third string and will be inactive this week. After losing his job following a brutal Week 11 performance in New England, Wilson has spent the past three weeks as the third-string signal caller. He has been inactive each week.
When asked why the change coach Saleh had this to say, “Zach’s been doing a great job; he has. He’s been deliberate in his approach the last three weeks. He’s been holding himself accountable with regards to how he wants to attack practice.” Saleh has been consistent with his message that the goal is for Wilson the get back on the field again this season.
But maybe the change has more to do with the on-field performance of aging backup Flacco. Flacco looked washed when he briefly relieved an injured Mike White last week in Buffalo. He went 1-3 for one yard and had a crucial fumble.
While the Jets expect White to play on Sunday when they welcome the Detroit Lions to MetLife Stadium, he is dealing with a rib injury. White’s availability to start and play the entire game on Sunday will probably hinder his pain tolerance. If last Sunday indicates White’s ability to play through pain, don’t count on Wilson seeing the field this week. White gives the Jets the best chance to win at this point as New York embarks on what amounts to four straight “playoff” games as they try to end the NFL’s longest postseason drought.
