The New York Jets finally benched Zach Wilson this week, in a move that most saw as something of an inevitability.
There is a case to be made that some of the other quarterbacks that have gotten benched so far this year around the league were performing at a much higher level and got a way shorter leash.
In addition to just his poor play, Wilson had become a liability in the locker room. His teammates had clearly lost faith in him and it was beginning to impact morale.
So far this season Wilson has completed 55.6 percent of his passes for 1,279 yards, four scores and five picks. Not great. He has been an albatross around the neck of a team boasting one of the league’s most ferocious defenses.
On Wednesday morning, Jets head coach Robert Saleh revealed how Wilson reacted to being benched in favor of Mike White.
Robert Saleh says Zach Wilson reacted with some frustration to being benched but it was “what you’d expect” from a player in a situation like this:
“If there’s gonna be anyone on the sideline cheering and rooting his teammates and hoping Mike White freakin’ dominates, it’s him.” pic.twitter.com/aHb4CRiEQQ
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 23, 2022
“Not that he’s not ready, but it’s like ‘Why now? Why me? I want to play,'” Saleh said.
“But you expect that. But after a great conversation, I think we’re on the same page.
“Does he want to be on the field? Of course he does. But I know if there’s gonna be anyone on the sideline cheering and rooting his teammates and hoping Mike White freakin’ dominates, it’s him.”
New York boasts a top 10 defense. All the team requires is a semi-competent game manager on offense. Wilson has repeatedly proven he isn’t that.
The kid may be adept at pulling attractive women (both his age and otherwise) but as a quarterback he has some work to do.
A soccer star saw the photos his girl posted and broke up with her. https://t.co/4kg8G2c8YZ
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 23, 2022
At just 23 years old, Wilson still has plenty of time to grow into being a good player.
Will he?
Time will tell.
Related: Stephen A. Smith’s 1-Word Description Of Brooklyn Nets
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
