When the New York Jets officially benched Zach Wilson, some speculated that the move was done, in part, to motivate the former top-two selection to pick up his play. In the meantime, Mike White would try to hold the fort down as Wilson would watch from the sideline, wondering where he went wrong.
That potential plan might be shelved for a bit.
Sunday afternoon saw the Jets fall to the Minnesota Vikings on the road, 27-22. And while White had a couple of costly turnovers, he enjoyed a second straight game with over three hundred yards passing (on 57 pass attempts!) as he continued to have the Jets offense hum at times. In the end, White had New York in a position for an upset of the NFC’s current No. 2 seed with two late fourth-quarter red zone drives that unfortunately concluded in zero points.
But he made plays that got them there, and that definitely means something:
MIKE WHITE HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/5tregI9xb6
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) December 4, 2022
With how White continues to help put the Jets in a position for wins, there’s a reality developing where we don’t see Wilson play for New York again in 2022. That’s because even if White isn’t the future — the Jets may dip into the veteran quarterback well in the spring — he’s clearly been a better facilitator for electric talents like 2022 first-round pick Garrett Wilson (eight catches, 162 yards).
I mean, look at how Wilson positively glows about White now:
Garrett Wilson on Mike White: “I’ll go to work for that boy. He’s got something special about him.” #Jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 4, 2022
Oh, man. Between White’s play and how his teammates directly discuss his play, these are not things you likely overlook if you’re in Robert Saleh’s shoes. At the moment, Wilson’s future in New York certainly seems very shaky.
NFL fans started to speculate when, if ever, Wilson would start for the Jets again after another solid performance for White
Zach Wilson on the Jets bench watching Mike White pic.twitter.com/CdTAgev2e3
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) December 4, 2022
Mike White was just sitting there the whole season? Wasn't practice awkward?? Starting to understand why nobody defended Zach Wilson even a little.
— Jared Freid (@jtrain56) December 4, 2022
Mike white legacy game. Zach Wilson will never start another game for the jets
— Matty (@MattyA510) December 4, 2022
This game may have not resulted in a W, but it showed Mike White is light years ahead of Zach Wilson.
— Sarah (@CoachDessner) December 4, 2022
Zach Wilson better never start for the Jets again, Mike White is wayyyyy better than dude
— #MambaForever (@MeLlamoAdrrian) December 4, 2022
Jets w/ Mike White Jets w/ Zach Wilson pic.twitter.com/AXPx4UInal
— The Game Day NFL (@TheGameDayNFL) December 4, 2022
Let me tell you how much the jets don’t like Zach Wilson….
They let Mike White throw 57 times today in regulation lol.
— Typical Millennial (@A6thSense) December 4, 2022
FYI, Zach Wilson WILL NOT get his job back. Mike White is 💯 for real.
— PapaZirk (@PapaZirk) December 4, 2022
Gotta give some props to Mike White. Dude’s playing better than we’ve ever seen Zach Wilson play.
They also almost beat the 9-2 Vikings, dude could have a bright future.
— TyGuy (@TyGuy711) December 4, 2022
Mike White has played like AT LEAST an average starting QB in each of the last two weeks.
Again, we’ll take things week by week.
But he’s going to force himself into the #Jets future QB conversation.
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) December 4, 2022
