The New York Jets’ 2023 quarterback situation, ending as it did in a competitive sense a few plays into the regular season when Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tenson, is one of the worst in NFL history.
It’s bad enough at this point that Zach Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft who never quite panned out for the team, is now reluctant to return to the field for the team that drafted him — this per reports from Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.
The Jets want to make a switch at QB. The team is leaning towards Zach Wilson to take over, but he is reluctant to stepping back in, sources tell @zackBlatt and me. The team is discussing next steps. More on @theathletic shortly.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) December 4, 2023
The Jets want to make a switch at QB. The team is leaning towards Zach Wilson to take over, but he is reluctant to stepping back in, sources tell @DMRussini and me. The team is hoping he changes his mind as they continue to discuss the next steps.
More on @TheAthletic shortly.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 4, 2023
Wilson had started a team-high nine games this season, but has been part of a merry-go-round that showed just how clueless the franchise was with any sort of backup plan for a Rodgers injury. Wilson has completed 190 of 321 passes this season for 1,944 yards, six touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a passer rating of 73.8. That’s not amazing by any stretch, but if you stack it up against the performances of Tom Boyle and Trevor Siemian, Rodgers’ other backups in this crazy quilt, Wilson looks like… well, Aaron Rodgers in comparison.
In their 15-8 embarrassment of a loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, Boyle completed 14 of 25 passes for 148 yards, no touchdowns, an interception, and a passer rating of 56.7 before being benched in “favor” of Siemian, who completed five of 13 passes for 66 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, three sacks, and a passer rating of 55.3.
As for Wilson, he was benched in the Jets’ 32-6 Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and relegated to third quarterback before the Jets’ 34-13 Week 12 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In that Black Friday game, Boyle threw a 99-yard pick-six to Miami safety Jevon Holland.
So, you can understand why Wilson might have some hard feelings about the ways in which things have gone, though he hasn’t come close to looking like a functional starting quarterback in the NFL to date.
The Jets next face the Houston Texans next Sunday. Stay tuned to see who will be suiting up at the game’s most important position!
And meanwhile, you can check out the most prominent responses to this news on social media.
This is AMAZING camera work #jets pic.twitter.com/t13AsTShun
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) December 4, 2023
robert saleh: would you like to maybe try to play quarterback in the nfl again?
zack wilson: pic.twitter.com/04xtBATzmI
— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) December 4, 2023
Zack Wilson after practice, talking to Garrett Wilson like…. https://t.co/y8C4uH1tXh pic.twitter.com/y6lRjuRKSe
— AudieMobile (@AudieR8) December 4, 2023
Zack Wilson and when Jets said we need you to comeback 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/mi3A2Rrxr3
— Mustafa Ali (@Mustafaal1996) December 4, 2023
Jets GM to Zack Wilson after Week 18 pic.twitter.com/nB2uZUFrCk
— MooseKnuckleMoolah (@makinmoosemoney) December 4, 2023
Literally Zach Wilson: https://t.co/ldmiRJtYuW pic.twitter.com/xYrjSQ6Q4O
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) December 4, 2023
Robert Saleh trying to convince Zach Wilson to take back the starting QB role pic.twitter.com/hDbmh1wEom
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) December 4, 2023
“Hey Zach we’re going back to you as the starter”
Zach Wilson: https://t.co/VNnTwdotPe pic.twitter.com/fGDIZxi4dx— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) December 4, 2023
Robert Saleh calling Zach Wilson about starting at QB for the Jets#TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/gW1ByHwriG
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) December 4, 2023
Saleh: “Get back out there, Zach”
Zach Wilson: pic.twitter.com/0AoB0wL2K7
— Andrew Claudio (@AndrewJClaudio_) December 4, 2023
Zach Wilson saying “nah I’m good, y’all got it” is perhaps the funniest possible plot twist in this Jets QB situation. https://t.co/yLMULY4QTf
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) December 4, 2023
My two cents on the Zach Wilson, #Jets situation
1) It's the right move for the team to want to go back to Zach Wilson. It's clear he's the better option than Tim Boyle & Trevor Siemian, the offense can get worse without him (left hand up on that). You need the guy who gives…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 4, 2023
Zach Wilson to the Jets: https://t.co/Ay6M1AWke5 pic.twitter.com/DnafRpv73d
— Vas Drimalitis (@vasdrimalitis) December 4, 2023
