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New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Jets' Robert Saleh explains starting Zach Wilson vs. Texans

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 12/6/23

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke with reporters Wednesday and, as expected, confirmed he's starting third-year pro Zach Wilson at quarterback for this Sunday's home game against the 7-5 Houston Texans.

"Zach gives us our best chance to win," Saleh said about that decision, as shared by Ben Krimmel of SNY. "Give him another opportunity to go prove that."

That's not necessarily high praise.

Saleh benched Wilson during the Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 19, but backup Tim Boyle failed to impress across two starts before Boyle was waived on Tuesday. Journeyman Trevor Siemian, who replaced Boyle in New York's 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons this past Sunday, will serve as Wilson's primary backup versus Houston.

While it was reported Monday that Wilson was "reluctant" to start for the Jets again this season, Saleh insisted that same day that the 24-year-old "wants the ball" and "believes he's the best quarterback in the room and the best quarterback for this team." Saleh said Wednesday that Wilson is excited to resume his starting duties:

"Zach gives us our best chance to win and we will give him an opportunity to go prove that"

- Robert Saleh on how he came to the decision on who will start Sunday's game pic.twitter.com/5LHYKfOkHq
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 6, 2023

Robert Saleh says that he is 'not concerned one bit about that report' made about Zach Wilson's hesitance to play pic.twitter.com/JraXILWdYC
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 6, 2023

"Zach’s in a great place, the locker room is in a great place and he’ll be ready to play ball," Saleh remarked.

Saleh did not, however, confirm he'll start Wilson through Week 18 with the 4-8 Jets seemingly out of playoff contention as Week 1 starter Aaron Rodgers continues his recovery from the torn Achilles he suffered on Sept. 11:

Robert Saleh says that Aaron Rodgers is continuing his rehab schedule that was provided to him by the medical team pic.twitter.com/uZ2cTDRZAx
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 6, 2023

Wilson was benched twice last season and, per ESPN stats, enters Week 14 ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 30.3 adjusted QBR on the campaign. He tossed only six touchdown passes and seven interceptions over fewer than 10 completed games before he became a spectator last month.

Additionally, ESP N shows that the Jets began Wednesday ranked 31st in the NFL with an average of 260.1 offensive yards per contest and 30th with an average of 14.3 points per game.

Following Saleh's announcement, oddschecker listed the Jets as 5.5-point underdogs against the Texans.

"The biggest thing for Zach is just let the thing rip," Saleh said about what he hopes to see from the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. "Trust in your ability, trust in your teammates, trust in your arm talent and trust in what you see and just let it fly. He's got undeniable arm talent, undeniable athleticism and when he plays with that 'F it' mentality, if you will, he’s pretty good."

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