New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

It's time for the Jets to reactivate Zach Wilson

By Nathaniel Griffee | Last updated 12/12/22

The Jets need Zach Wilson back, but not as starter. That's Mike White's job. But New York desperately needs Wilson, inactive the past three games, as his backup.

White's current backup, Joe Flacco, played a handful of snaps in Sunday's 20-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills but still managed to cost the Jets the game.

Filling in for White after he had suffered a nasty rib injury, Flacco completed one pass for one yard on three attempts. On another attempt, he badly missed a wide-open Tyler Conklin for what may have been a huge play.

Flacco's killer mistake was a sack-fumble that led to Buffalo expanding its lead to 10 points, a setback that the Jets couldn't overcome.

Defense makin' moves!

: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Al0JHF288A
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 11, 2022

Sack-fumbles have become a calling card for Flacco with the Jets. In the three games he started earlier this season, he had four of them.

They're a product of Flacco's immobility combined with poor offensive line play brought about by injuries at every position on the line except center and left guard.

Wilson was horrid before his benching, throwing for only 200.3 yards and less than a touchdown per game. But he used his mobility to avoid sacks. Flacco is a statue by comparison.

Moreover, Wilson only has one fumble in seven games this season and averages fewer interceptions per start (0.71) than Flacco (1).

With the current state of the offensive line and White's questionable status following his post-game hospital visit, Flacco at the backup over Wilson is football malpractice.

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