Jets players know who their starting quarterback is even if head coach Robert Saleh hedges.
In two starts since supplanting Zach Wilson as starter, Mike White threw for 684 yards (342 yards per game) and three touchdowns. In seven starts in 2022, Wilson threw for 1,279 yards (178.2 per game) and four touchdowns.
White's production, coupled with his calm leadership style, should have Wilson riding the bench for the foreseeable future.
"That boy's a dog," receiver Garrett Wilson said after the Jets' 27-22 loss Sunday to Minnesota. "He was out there controlling the huddle and never letting the moment get too big. It was cool to see. Looking back on it now, it's cool to think about. I know I'd go to war for that boy. He got something special about him." (h/t: SNY)
Garrett Wilson on playing with Mike White:
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 4, 2022
"I'll go to war for that boy. He's got something special about him." pic.twitter.com/gmEPKbV7Az
After a 10-3 loss to the Patriots in Week 11—the Jets' 14th in a row vs. New England—Wilson infamously told reporters that he didn't feel he let the defense down. He threw for 77 yards and no TDs in the game.
Wilson's attitude and answer angered Wilson, who walked around the locker room after the game claiming he was "done," according to SNY.
Jets sources told SNY that Wilson was walking around after that loss "like he isn't the problem."
But he is.
Most games with 3 Pass TD as Jets QB since start of last season
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) November 28, 2022
Starts
Mike White 2 4
Joe Flacco 1 4
Josh Johnson 1 0
Zach Wilson 0 20 pic.twitter.com/PMJIeIbkFY
Fast forward to Sunday.
White told the media that it was his job to "put our team in the best position, and that's scoring when we're in the red zone. It starts with me."
That's the accountability the Jets didn't get from Wilson.
Against Minnesota, the Jets went 1-for-6 in the red zone and 3-for-16 on third downs. The Jets had two opportunities to take the lead late in the fourth quarter but came up empty.
Jets players rolled into Minneapolis wearing "Mike F'n White" T-shirts.
wait for it… pic.twitter.com/YBki8Onpoi
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 3, 2022
Saleh is working closely with quarterback coach Rob Calabrese and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to get Wilson ready to play again.
"It's all hands on deck to try and get him back to where we know he can be," Saleh told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero before Week 13.
If Jets players had their say, Wilson might be left out to sea.
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