Insider reveals why Jets didn't land proven backup for Zach Wilson

There's more information about why the New York Jets didn't acquire a proven backup for current starter Zach Wilson after Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles in Week 1. 

"With the Jets sticking with Zach Wilson through his recent struggles, it's worth reminding that this has essentially been their plan throughout the season," Jeremy Fowler of ESPN explained for a piece published Wednesday. "As New York brass evaluated free agent quarterback additions early in the campaign, they made clear that they would ride with Wilson, and some came away from those conversations believing the Jets sought nonthreatening options, letting Wilson get a real shot without looking over his shoulder."

The Jets were linked with names such as Tennessee Titans veteran Ryan Tannehill and Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings before the trade deadline but instead stuck with Wilson, primary backup Tim Boyle and practice squad option Trevor Siemian. It was reported this past weekend that the Jets declined to sign Carson Wentz before he joined the Los Angeles Rams last week. 

According to ESPN stats, Wilson heads into Week 11 ranked 30th in the NFL among qualified players with a 34.2 adjusted QBR on the season. The Jets, meanwhile, are 29th with an average of 283.1 offensive yards per game and 30th with an average of 16.0 points scored per contest. New York's offense tallied eight offensive touchdowns over nine games and none across the club's last 11 quarters of action.

Despite those numbers, head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Monday he's starting Wilson when the 4-5 Jets play at the 5-5 Buffalo Bills. 

Wilson and Rodgers grew close after the future Hall of Famer joined the Jets from the Green Bay Packers this past spring, and Saleh declared Wednesday that Rodgers is "going to play" again this season if he wants. 

It certainly seems to outsiders the Jets want to avoid upsetting Rodgers in any way this fall as Saleh continues to support a 24-year-old who is, statistically speaking, one of the league's worst starting quarterbacks through 10 weeks of the ongoing campaign.