Analysis: It's time for the Jets to make a change from Zach Wilson at quarterback
Zach Wilson of the Jets warms up prior to a game against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. Credit: Getty Images/Adam Glanzman
Robert Saleh has a very important decision to make, but it shouldn’t be a difficult one.
It’s time for a change.
Zach Wilson is not the right quarterback for this team at this moment. It doesn’t mean he can’t become the franchise guy the Jets believed he would. The 23-year-old just needs more time to learn, develop, listen and grow up.
Saleh did not commit to Wilson starting Sunday against the Bears. He said would meet with his coaches and GM Joe Douglas, watch film and do “what’s best for this organization and this team.”
The best thing would be to give Mike White or even Joe Flacco the football on Wednesday.
Saleh promoted White from QB3 to QB2 a few weeks ago because the Jets want to see what they have in him. At the time, Saleh said White would only play if Wilson got hurt. Wilson is healthy, but he’s hurting the team.
The Jets are 6-4 and have a chance at the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. They have put together a defense that Saleh called “championship quality,” and he’s not wrong. The Jets’ defense allowed one touchdown in eight quarters against the Patriots and lost both games. That’s not easy to do.
It’s not all because of Wilson, but quarterback play is a big reason.
Wilson threw three interceptions in the first game. He completed just nine passes on Sunday, threw for 77 yards and led the Jets to two net yards in the second half. Saleh said the offensive performance was “unacceptable” and “not NFL football.”
Saleh has to evaluate everything and everyone, including offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, whose playcalling has left a lot to be desired. But the answer can’t be to move an offensive lineman or sit a receiver.
White deserves a shot. He could provide a spark and galvanize the team the way he did last year in his first NFL start against the Bengals. If it’s Flacco, everyone brings up that the veteran can’t move. He can still move an offense, though.
Some believe that Saleh will stay with Wilson, that he’s just putting the young quarterback on notice and sending a message. That may be true. The best way to get Wilson’s attention and let him know his performance on and off the field is not good enough is to keep him off the field.
That really would send a message to Wilson and to the rest of the Jets.
Wilson could play well against the Bears, who allow the fifth-most points in the NFL. It wouldn’t mean all is well. The next two games are at Minnesota and Buffalo.
Do the Jets believe Wilson can lead them over those two teams on the road? That’s what Douglas, Saleh and coaches have to ask and answer honestly. Do the players believe in Wilson? That has to be a part of the discussion.
Wilson didn’t help himself last week by how he acted and behaved with the media.
He raised eyebrows when he said on Thursday, “I still believe that nobody outside of this building knows what they're talking about.”
After the New England game, Wilson had the opportunity to say, "I let the team down. Put it on my shoulders. I’ve got to be better.” Instead, when he was asked if he felt he let the defense down, Wilson responded, “No. No.”
Defiance and arrogance are not a good combination, especially when your four passing touchdowns are second on the team to Flacco, who has played four fewer games.
There is no doubt that rubbed some of the players in the locker room the wrong way, even if they publicly supported Wilson. Accountability is a big thing, and holding yourself accountable goes a long way.
Former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman, who played for Saleh in Seattle and is close with the Jets coach, saw video of Wilson’s remark and tweeted. “Wow. 9 completions the entire game and 10 punts. You have let Defense down.”
Sherman also tweeted, “This terrible play has been the case for weeks. Mac Jones played under exact same conditions 23-27 for 246 yds. He’s not good enough for the NFL and the sooner the Jets realize that the better off the rest of this team will be.”
The Jets have done everything right by Wilson since they drafted him. Douglas improved the offensive line and the skill positions.
No one is suggesting Wilson hasn’t worked hard or isn’t committing to his craft. His development and maturity are tracking much differently than the Jets’ defense. They’re ready to win now. Saleh can’t let the quarterback hold this team back.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
