Zach Wilson Named Backup QB For Jets Against Lions
Dec 14, 2022, 10:39 AM
Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets looks on during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced that Zach Wilson will be the backup quarterback this week against the Detroit Lions.
Robert Saleh spoke with the media on Wednesday morning and announced that Mike White will be the starting quarterback for the Jets with Wilson as the backup and Joe Flacco moving down to No. 3.
“Zach’s been doing a great job,” Saleh said. “He’s been deliberate in his approach over the last three weeks. He’s been holding himself accountable with regards to how he wants to attack practice, how he’s been performing in practice, going against our defense, which I think is a pretty good defense to go against. He’s been working on all the different things that we’ve been asking him to accomplish.”
Coach Saleh says Zach Wilson will be the No. 2 quarterback this week. pic.twitter.com/3JeB5IqD9a
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 14, 2022
Zach Wilson Benched On November 23
On Monday, November 21, the second-year head coach discussed New York’s QB1 job a day after the Jets suffered a 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots, their second loss in three weeks to the AFC East rival.
Wilson struggled in the contest by passing for only 77 yards on nine completions out of 22 attempts. The performance earned a 24.5 QBR. Wilson also ran the ball three times for 26 yards.
A day after the game, Wilson’s coach failed to back the former BYU star as the team’s definitive starter moving forward.
“We’re keeping everything on the table over the next couple of days,” Saleh said regarding Wilson’s status as the Jets’ starting quarterback for Week 12. “Not right now, not until I’m done evaluating everything.”
On November 28, Saleh said his full intent is to “get Zach [Wilson] ready to play football again.”
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.
The Jets and Lions will square off at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, December 18 at 11:00 a.m. MT on CBS.
