Social Media Erupts After Jets Bench Zach Wilson Against Jaguars
Dec 22, 2022, 9:16 PM
Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets warms up prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Social media took off with hot takes after the New York Jets benched former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson late in the third quarter of their Week 16 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jets hosted the Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, December 22.
During the second half, Wilson was replaced by former Canadian Football League signal-caller Chris Streveler.
After the move, social media erupted with posts about the former BYU star.
Social Media explodes with takes on Zach Wilson
Zach Wilson has been removed from the game. Chris Streveler is at QB. pic.twitter.com/vSSWhKudCL
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 23, 2022
The Jets now can never go back to Zach Wilson as their starting QB, right?
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) December 23, 2022
Zach Wilson leaving the game pic.twitter.com/nj5NE6TBmg
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) December 23, 2022
Safe to say it’s been a rough night for Zach Wilson 🤦♂️
The fans have let him HEAR IT! #TNF | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/fDVGnPivgE
— FanDuel Canada (@FanDuelCanada) December 23, 2022
The crowd is hyped that Zach Wilson has been benched pic.twitter.com/wBLqE8CaON
— Bussin' With The Boys 🐺 (@BussinWTB) December 23, 2022
Zach Wilson era over
— David Teicher (@Aerocles) December 23, 2022
Zach Wilson has been benched for the Jets.
Chris Streveler takes his place pic.twitter.com/elyganvgWH
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 23, 2022
The Jets have benched Zach Wilson for Chris Streveler 😬 pic.twitter.com/PEloPTFfAd
— PFF (@PFF) December 23, 2022
Don’t forget Zach Wilson bought all of Chris Streveler’s offensive lineman scooters
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) December 23, 2022
Zach Wilson has been benched for Chris Streveler. pic.twitter.com/01WVKus8DV
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 23, 2022
Jets longest drive of the night with Zach Wilson: 28 yards
Jets current drive with Chris Streveler: 45 yards pic.twitter.com/1Scu48E8YR
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 23, 2022
After being outplayed by Joe Flacco, Mike White and now Chris Streveler…that’s probably all she wrote on Zach Wilson, NFL starting quarterback.
— Anthony Romano (@ARomanoWDBJ) December 23, 2022
Zach Wilson tonight vs. the Jaguars
– 9-of-18 92 passing yards
– 0 TDs
– 1 INT
– 1 rushing yard
– BENCHEDDo you agree with @FourVerts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/bquZjEZySY
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 23, 2022
Saleh don’t rock with Zach Wilson.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 23, 2022
The road back from this is going to be rough for Zach Wilson in New York.
What an abject disaster. #Jets
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 23, 2022
Zach Wilson was drafted 2nd overall to master the arts of air punts – and early down air punts at that. "We want Flacco" chants. 7-7 or not Woody Johnson ain't gonna be happy and he didn't hire the coach. All ain't well on Florham Park as I wrote about this week @washingtonpost
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 23, 2022
Zach Wilson getting benched in the #Jets only prime time game for Chris Streveler with the season on the line tells you the story of this season.
So much talent on offense. So much talent on defense.
They were held back by the QB position all year.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 23, 2022
zach wilson has lost the trust of the Jet fanbase. im not saying it’s impossible. it will be very hard to regain their trust again. i witnessed these same boos when brett farve was under center.
— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) December 23, 2022
Tonight was the official end of the Zach Wilson era. It's over.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 23, 2022
I can’t see how Zach Wilson comes back from being benched for a practice squad QB whose most extensive action was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
It’s over.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) December 23, 2022
Lowest Passer Rating in NFL this season
Zach Wilson 73.1Lowest Completion Pct in NFL this season
Zach Wilson 54.6%Lowest Passer Rating in NFL last season
Zach Wilson 69.7Lowest Completion Pct in NFL last season
Zach Wilson 55.6% pic.twitter.com/QEnmxfY6J9— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 23, 2022
Is it time for the Jets to move on from Zach Wilson? pic.twitter.com/8QolAibSMo
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 23, 2022
Jaguars vs. Jets
The Jets promoted Streveler from their practice squad hours before kickoff.
New York trailed 16-3 when Streveler entered the game with 3:31 to go in the third quarter. Streveler played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2018-19 and won the 2019 Grey Cup. The former Minnesota and South Dakota quarterback has spent time in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Jets.
🚨 CHRIS STREVELER ALERT 🚨
The @nyjets offense has come to life 👀 @cstrevy pic.twitter.com/OZuW2SQwhE
— NFL On Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 23, 2022
Before leaving the game, Wilson was 9/18 passing for 92 yards and an interception. He had a rating of 41.9. Wilson also ran the ball once for one yard.
RELATED: Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd Intercepts Jets QB Zach Wilson
Entering Week 16, Wilson had thrown for 1,596 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 54.9 percent completion rate this season. He’d also run 27 times for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Zach Wilson has been removed from the game. Chris Streveler is at QB. pic.twitter.com/vSSWhKudCL
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 23, 2022
New York went on to lose, 19-3.
With the loss, the Jets fell to a 7-8 record.
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About Zach Wilson
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.
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.
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.
The BYU great was benched following a loss in November to the New England Patriots and was inactive for three games.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
