Though the ups-and-downs of Zach Wilson’s performances instigated the New York Jets to bring Aaron Rodgers to replace him, Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury set the stage for the third-year quarterback again this season. Wilson’s production improved, yet it’s not sufficient to win the hearts of the Jets fans.
The starter’s most recent show during their last two week’s games demanded his position be changed, yet all the criticisms fell short in front of head coach Robert Saleh’s trust in their young quarterback.
Robert Saleh asserts faith in Wilson
The Jets had little to do other than framing the whole season with Zach Wilson as a starter when Rodgers left the MetLife Stadium, tearing his Achilles. Following three straight wins, the Jets team got a hit again during Week 9 in a terrible manner and it continued in Week 10 as well.
In response to the critics and calls for replacing Wilson, Saleh’s take shut down all the speculations when the head coach uttered his belief on their starter’s performance.
“I get it, there’s a yearning for more, but I feel like he played a good game yesterday.”
"I get it, there's a yearning for more, but I feel like he played a good game yesterday. It is hard to make changes just to pacify something, especially when someone is not deserving."
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 13, 2023
– Robert Saleh on Zach Wilson pic.twitter.com/bXQ9sCQZ9k
Saleh tried to make the fans and reporters know that a decision regarding such an important role can’t be taken overnight, hence they have nothing but to carry on their season with Zach.
“It is hard to make changes just to pacify something, especially when someone is not deserving.”
Amid this, the HC hinted at bringing changes in offense. Though nothing had been specified, he conveyed his firm affirmation in this case and they are already prepared to bring the matter to the board meeting.
“As far as personnel changes, we’re looking at some personnel changes I’m going to keep here with me. We’re looking across the board to see if we can generate some offense.”
Saleh ignored Wilson’s floundering performance cleverly as in the eyes of the head coach, poor calls of the refs had played a dominating role that the Jets team were eyeing to stop.
Zach Wilson’s historic NFL low
In spite of the Jets standing in the No.3 seed with a 4-5 record so far, Zach Wilson’s prowess could not convince the fans as the league’s rookie starters even have been doing better than him.
The 24-year-old threw for 263 yards and an interception on 23-of-39 passing during his team’s 16-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football in Week 10.
Furthermore, his eight career starting games saw him as the first QB in NFL history to throw for 250+ yards in back-to-back weeks but have his team not score an offensive TD in either game. With the feat, he wrote down his name beside Joey Harrington of the Detroit Lions as the most such starts by a starter in their first three seasons in the 21st Century, per CBS Sports.
Zach Wilson is the first QB in NFL history to throw for 250+ yards in back-to-back weeks but have his team not score an offensive TD in either game.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) November 13, 2023
Even if his throwing percentage increased from his previous assignments, it is still among the bottom five in the league (30th out of 33 eligible quarterbacks this season). Nevertheless, every time the Jets’ defense, one of the 10 best in the NFL, came forward to save his job.
Not sure how long Zach Wilson could survive as Rodgers’s swift recovery process is hitting the headlines almost every day while the player himself is vying to return to the field this season.
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