Zach Wilson To Serve As New York Jets’ Backup QB In Season Finale
Jan 6, 2023, 10:53 AM
Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets and Joe Flacco #19 of the New York Jets look on during pregame at Lambeau Field on October 16, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced that former BYU star Zach Wilson will serve as the team’s backup quarterback for its regular season finale.
On Friday, January 6, the second-year head coach discussed the Jets’ quarterback situation ahead of Week 18.
Saleh told reporters that Mike White was ruled out due to injury and Joe Flacco would start the finale. Wilson, who was previously projected to be inactive, will back up Flacco.
“He’s just in a lot of pain,” Saleh said of White’s rib injury. “Clearly affected his ability to throw the ball.”
Coach Saleh runs through the injury report, including QB Mike White who will be out.
QB Joe Flacco will start. pic.twitter.com/dlXdOMi0Bk
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 6, 2023
The coach also explained why the Jets are starting Flacco over Wilson.
“I want to get him [Wilson] to the offseason so we can attack the plan that we’ve been building,” Saleh said. “Putting him out there right now is not going to do him any good; it’s not going to do anyone any good. For Zach, it’s all about ’23.”
"I want to get him to the offseason so we can attack the plan we've been building. For him, it's all about '23."
Robert Saleh on the decision to start Joe Flacco over Zach Wilson in Week 18: pic.twitter.com/2d9WtpEdSi
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) January 6, 2023
Despite his struggles during his first two seasons, the Jets reportedly don’t have plans to shop Wilson this offseason.
RELATED: Report: Jets Don’t Plan To Shop Former BYU QB Zach Wilson In Offseason
The Jets currently sit in fourth place in the AFC East and have already been eliminated from the playoff picture.
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New York’s final regular season game is on the road against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, January 8 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX and NFL Sunday Ticket.
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.
"In hindsight, it probably would’ve benefited [Zach Wilson] just to sit back and learn a little bit and watch a veteran and just kind of grow in this league." – @nyjets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TakeFlight #BYUFOOTBALLhttps://t.co/lQzJWNhMn1
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 5, 2023
Without Wilson, the Jets opened the 2022 season with a 1-2 record. After returning, the Jets posted a 5-2 record before Wilson was benched for the first time.
This season, Wilson has thrown for 1,688 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions with a 54.5 percent completion rate. He has a rating of 72.9 and a QBR of 37.1
During his two seasons in the league, the former BYU star has thrown for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. He’s also run for 287 yards and five touchdowns.
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).
