Zach Wilson nonetheless ‘our quarterback’ after Jets’ loss to Pats

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets aren’t contemplating a quarterback change — not this week, not for the remainder of the season.

Zach Wilson acquired a robust vote of confidence Monday from coach Robert Saleh, who stated he has “full religion” within the second-year quarterback regardless of three “back-breaking” interceptions in Sunday’s 22-17 loss to the New England Patriots.

Saleh stated he is planning to journey Wilson for the period, barring damage. “Right,” Saleh stated. “He is our quarterback.”

Wilson, drafted second total in 2021, by no means has been benched regardless of loads of rocky performances in 18 profession begins. He is twenty fourth out of 31 certified passers in Whole QBR (41.8). After three straight video games with no turnover, he imploded towards the Patriots, who ended the Jets’ four-game successful streak.

Saleh tried to spin the optimistic, saying Wilson is likely one of the the explanation why the Jets are a stunning 5-3.

“No person had us at 5 wins at this level to start out the season, and Zach is an enormous a part of that,” he stated.

“He is gotten so much higher,” Saleh added. “We count on him to proceed to get higher. Do I count on it to all be clear? No, each quarterback has their days, however he is our quarterback as a result of we expect he will get higher and he will proceed to show why he was the No. 2 decide.”

Wilson has a maddening tendency to make errors when he is below duress, attempting to create one thing out of nothing. All three interceptions got here on performs wherein he was below stress from a move rusher. He admitted after the sport, “Generally you sit there and also you marvel, ‘Why did I simply try this?'”

Invoking a theme from final season, Saleh stated Wilson should study to grasp that “boring” might be good – that means taking a check-down or throwing the ball out of bounds.

“There’s that straightforward reminder: It is OK to be bored, and simply keep in mind you may have a bunch of men in that locker room who’re fairly good at soccer too they usually’ve bought your again,” he stated.

Saleh stated Wilson is “urgent,” however rapidly backed off that phrase.

“I wish to be sure that I say this proper: He is a younger man that wishes to show his price,” the coach stated. “To be trustworthy with you, you may show your price by simply executing and doing all your job to the most effective of your skill.”

Wilson has accomplished solely 54.9% of his passes, with three touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He is averaging solely 210 yards per recreation, which bought a lift from his career-best 355 yards towards the Patriots. In three of the 4 wins, he primarily was a recreation supervisor, counting on the operating recreation and protection.

Saleh might have unwittingly sparked a possible controversy by elevating Mike White to the No. 2 job earlier than Sunday’s recreation, demoting Joe Flacco to No. 3. The transfer is everlasting, Saleh stated, explaining that “we have to know what now we have in Mike.”

White will get extra observe reps because the second-stringer, that means an opportunity to develop his recreation. He is additionally a fan favourite, which suggests the house crowd may very well be chanting for him if Wilson struggles Sunday towards the Buffalo Payments.

“Yeah, it is true, these (interceptions) cannot occur,” tight finish C.J. Uzomah stated. “He is aware of it, we all know it as a crew. On the identical time, he did make good selections. He did have actually good balls. He did the fitting issues. We, as an offense, did not shield appropriately, did not run the fitting routes correctly. Every part at all times comes again on the quarterback and he has to bear that burden, nevertheless it’s our job to verify he is aware of he is not a one-man crew.”