Jets Have ‘Full Intent’ To Get Zach Wilson ‘Ready To Play Football Again’

SALT LAKE CITY – New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said his team’s “full intent is to get Zach [Wilson] ready to play football again” after the former BYU quarterback was benched in Week 12.

Saleh’s comments came a day after the Jets beat the Chicago Bears, 31-10, on Sunday, November 28.

Wilson was benched for the contest after a poor performance on the field and during his postgame press conference for New York’s loss to the New England Patriots in Week 11.

Former Western Kentucky and 2018 fifth-round draft pick Mike White replaced Wilson in the starting lineup and had a day against the Bears. White was 22/28 passing for 315 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers.

Mike Eff…….icient White pic.twitter.com/PtJ1YuO3M1

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 28, 2022

A week earlier against the Patriots, Wilson passed for only 77 yards on nine completions out of 22 attempts. The next day, Saleh didn’t back Wilson as the team’s starter moving forward.

“We’re keeping everything on the table over the next couple of days,” Saleh said of Wilson’s status. “Not right now, not until I’m done evaluating everything.”

Wilson also didn’t help himself with his Week 11 postgame remarks.

When asked if he felt he was letting down New York’s impressive defense, Wilson responded, “No.”

.@Connor_J_Hughes: "Do you feel like you let the defense down at all?"

Zach Wilson: "No." pic.twitter.com/tiJiTSrFPE

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 20, 2022

Later in the week, the former BYU quarterback was benched.

Following New York’s win over Chicago, Saleh was asked about Wilson’s status for Week 13 and beyond.

“It’s exactly what I talked about last week in my press conference,” the Jets head coach said of the quarterback situation. “It’s a week-to-week deal. The full intent is to get Zach ready to play football again. I’ll make that decision when I’m ready. While we’re going through this process, it’s Mike White’s opportunity to take advantage of every last play he gets.”

In addition to improving his play on the field, Wilson will have to win over his coaches and teammates if he expects to start for the Jets again. During the Bears game, Wilson appeared to show little emotion on the sidelines. After the game, Jets players were filled with emotion following the big win, including wide receiver Elijah Moore, who’d been critical of Wilson in recent weeks. However, White supported Wilson and called him a friend.

NFL fans roasted Zach Wilson over a brutally accurate Fox Sports graphic during Bears-Jets https://t.co/qoX5Wd0P1R pic.twitter.com/OvBX2KpM1q

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) November 28, 2022

After White’s performance, it’s safe to assume that the former BYU star won’t be starting in Week 13 as they travel to Minnesota to play the 9-2 Vikings on Sunday, December 4 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS.

“When we feel like Zach is ready to roll, he’s going to roll,” Saleh added.

The Jets currently own a 7-4 record.

About Zach Wilson

The former BYU star underwent surgery in August after suffering a knee injury in New York’s preseason opener. He also suffered a knee injury last season as a rookie.

Without Wilson, the Jets opened the 2022 season with a 1-2 record. After returning, the Jets posted a 5-2 record with Wilson starting.

During Wilson’s rookie campaign last season, the former BYU standout missed four games because of a knee injury and threw for 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 55.6 completion rate.

This season, Wilson has thrown for 1,279 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. He’s also run the ball 24 times for 94 yards and a touchdown.

.@ZachWilson on 🎯 #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #NEvsNYJ #TakeFlight #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/rqCeNJH4EB

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 30, 2022

Before his time in the NFL, the Corner Canyon High School product had a standout career at BYU. Wilson helped the Cougars to an 11-1 record during his final season in Provo.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

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