Jets Q&A: Will Mike White continue to start?
Mike White of the Jets reacts after defeating the Bengals at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 31, 2021 . Credit: Jim McIsaac
Will Mike White continue to start when Zach Wilson is healthy?
Robert Saleh didn’t rule it out.
"We’ll go day-to-day, but anything’s possible, right?" Saleh said. "Anything’s possible."
It sounds as if a quarterback controversy could be brewing. White was able to move the Jets’ offense on Sunday far better than Wilson has in any game.
Wilson, who is out two to four weeks with a sprained PCL, is only a rookie. There is nothing wrong with him sitting and watching.
This was White’s first NFL start, but he’s in his fourth season and has done a lot of watching and preparing. He made the most of his opportunity, throwing for 405 yards and three touchdowns in the Jets’ 34-31 win over the Bengals. If he’s playing well, why shake it up?
"It goes back to that whole theory that the difference between ‘Player A’ and ‘Player Z’ is an opportunity and reps," Saleh said. "That’s what this league is. That’s professional sports. That’s why they come out of nowhere. Someone gets an opportunity. What Mike does with his opportunity . . . He’s just got to take advantage of it."
White earned another start Thursday night against the Colts. Saleh already had said White will start Thursday.
Why was Mike LaFleur calling the game from upstairs instead of on the field?
According to Saleh, White didn’t need LaFleur on the sideline talking to him when he came off the field. Wilson liked that, though, and that’s why LaFleur was on the sideline before Sunday.
Not anymore.
"He’s staying up there," Saleh said.
Why did Saleh change his stance on the coin flip?
He wouldn’t reveal why he elected to receive when the Jets won the toss. A defensive coach, Saleh usually defers. He said he was deferring all the way up until warmups but changed his mind and elected to put the ball in White’s hands and let him cook.
"It just felt like it would be good to get him the ball early, to get the jitterbugs out of his stomach," Saleh said. "It worked out."
White led the Jets on a touchdown drive on the first series. They had been scoreless in the first quarter this season.
How did Denzel Mims do with more snaps?
Mims started because Corey Davis was out with a hamstring injury. He was targeted three times, caught two passes for 30 yards and dropped a potential touchdown pass.
Who could have played their last game as a Jet?
The trade deadline is Tuesday, and the two biggest names who could be on the move are slot receiver Jamison Crowder and safety Marcus Maye.
Crowder is in the final year of his deal and took a pay cut. His departure would make Elijah Moore the full-time slot receiver. Maye is playing on a one-year franchise tag.
