Jets HC Robert Saleh voices regrets about QB Zach Wilson

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh voiced some regrets regarding quarterback Zach Wilson on Wednesday, stating he wished Wilson would've learned about life in the NFL while sitting as a rookie during the 2021 season and serving as a backup for Aaron Rodgers in 2023.

"You wish you would have probably given him that first year," Saleh said, per Rich Cimini of ESPN. "We’ve all said that and we’ve been pretty vocal about that. We were hoping to get that this year and give him that one year to watch Aaron play football and learn and grow, with all the different things that come with this scheme." 

That, of course, didn't happen, as Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles four snaps into the regular-season opener in Week 1. As for Wilson, Saleh benched the 24-year-old on multiple occasions last season and most recently pulled the signal-caller from the Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 19. 

Wilson later entered concussion protocol during the Week 15 defeat against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 17. He won't clear the protocol for this Sunday's campaign finale at the New England Patriots, and it's assumed the Jets will try to trade the third-year pro this offseason. 

"We'll see," Saleh said about Wilson's future. "It's all things that we're going to have to talk about once the season's over, but whether it's here or somewhere else, I believe he's going to have a hell of a career."

According to ESPN stats, Wilson ended Week 17 ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 30.2 adjusted QBR for the season. He holds a record of 12-21 as a starter. 

"I thought he had great [organized team activities], a great training camp," Saleh added about Wilson. "I thought he battled. He fought. He's a fighter, he really is. Obviously, there are things that I know he wishes he could have back. I know there are a lot of things that he improved on. Some things were out of his control, but I've said it and I'll say it again: I think he's going to have a long career."

Saleh, Rodgers, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and general manager Joe Douglas are all expected to remain with the Jets through this offseason. At least one team will likely take a flier on Wilson before this year's draft, and the Jets should accept whatever they can get for a young man labeled by many as a bust.