New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is unlikely to be active for Friday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. One day after being given the hook by head coach Robert Saleh in a blowout 32-6 loss, Wilson has been demoted.
Saleh announced on Monday that veteran Tim Boyle will get the start against Miami. He’ll be backed up by Trevor Siemian, meaning that Wilson has been demoted to third string from his previous role as QB1.
This is a dramatic fall from grace for the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. But it really shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. The writing has been on the wall for some time. Not only has Wilson struggled on the field (6 TD, 7 INT this season), but he’s also had previous issues with the Jets’ locker room dating back to last season. All said, Wilson just has not performed as an NFL-caliber QB since entering the league.
- Zach Wilson career stats: 57% completion, 5,966 yards, 21 TD, 25 INT
Wilson is averaging a mere 186.4 passing yards with a 71.9 QB rating throughout his career. New York boasts a disastrous 11-20 record in his 31 starts.
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With New York at 4-6 on the season, it was high time for the Jets to make a move. They need to turn this thing around in short order as Aaron Rodgers nears his return from the torn Achilles’ the future Hall of Famer suffered back in Week 1. Further struggles would make it pointless for Rodgers to risk further injury by returning.
As for Wilson’s future with the Jets, this seems to be pretty much it for the 2023 season. Saleh noted on Monday that they’ll have to reassess during the offseason.
Social media reacts to New York Jets demoting Zach Wilson
To be fair. Wilson has been a punching bag for Monday morning quarterbacks and skeptics on social media throughout his career. It’s what comes with being a starting quarterback in the nation’s largest media market. Saleh made that clear when announcing the quarterback’s demotion.
“It was 29-6, and as I said, like I told Zach on the sideline, it’s not just him. It’s easy to point the finger at the quarterback, but it’s pretty easy to see, you’ve got missed protections, you’ve got dropped balls, you’ve got missed routes. Now, obviously, he’s got to get better. There’s things he could’ve done a lot better, but it’s everyone right now.”
Robert Saleh on benching of Zach Wilson
Regardless, social media had its reactions to Monday’s news.