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 obtained a robust vote of confidence Monday from coach Robert Saleh, who mentioned 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 mentioned he is planning to journey Wilson for the length, barring harm. “Appropriate,” Saleh mentioned. “He is our quarterback.”

Wilson, drafted second general 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 constructive, saying Wilson is without doubt one of the the explanation why the Jets are a shocking 5-3.

“No one had us at 5 wins at this level to start out the season, and Zach is a giant a part of that,” he mentioned.

“He is gotten loads 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 beneath duress, attempting to create one thing out of nothing. All three interceptions got here on performs through which he was beneath stress from a cross 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 mentioned Wilson should be taught to know that “boring” will 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’ve a bunch of fellows in that locker room who’re fairly good at soccer too and so they’ve obtained your again,” he mentioned.

Saleh mentioned Wilson is “urgent,” however shortly backed off that phrase.

“I wish to make sure that I say this proper: He is a younger man that desires to show his price,” the coach mentioned. “To be trustworthy with you, you may show your price by simply executing and doing all your job to one of the best 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 sport, which obtained a lift from his career-best 355 yards towards the Patriots. In three of the 4 wins, he primarily was a sport supervisor, counting on the working sport and protection.

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

White will get extra observe reps because the second-stringer, that means an opportunity to develop his sport. 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 mentioned. “He is aware of it, we all know it as a group. On the similar time, he did make good selections. He did have actually good balls. He did the correct issues. We, as an offense, did not defend accurately, did not run the correct routes correctly. Every little thing all the time comes again on the quarterback and he has to bear that burden, but it surely’s our job to verify he is aware of he isn’t a one-man group.”