The New York Jets have made a change at quarterback with their second overall draft selection from the 2021 class being benched following another dismal performance this past weekend.
Wilson has thrown just four touchdowns and five interceptions this season, and performed poorly in last weekend's loss to the New England Patriots when the Jets lose 10-3, as he threw for just 77 yards in a performance which he was heavily criticised. The Jets defence kept them in the game, which has been the story all season, but Wilson struggled to move the ball and would make a number of poor decisions.
Speaking after the game, Wilson infuriated a number of his teammates when he failed to take accountability for the loss. Wilson was asked if he feels he let the defence down, to which he bluntly responded: "no."
Reporter Connor Hughes stated that his quotes "rubbed more than a few the wrong way, frustrating several others", with Jets head coach Robert Saleh admitting the next day that his place as starter would not be guaranteed.
And now, that has become official. ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted: "During a team meeting minutes ago, Jets players were informed that Zach Wilson is not starting Sunday's game vs. the Chicago Bears, sources tell ESPN. Wilson — who had a 5-2 record as a starting QB this season, with both losses coming vs. the Pats — is being benched."
The Jets have veteran Joe Flacco slated as the back-up who previously played in Wilson's place earlier this season, starting three games and actually throwing more touchdowns (5) than Wilson has (4) in seven games. Mike White could be an option to play though, who played well in spells last season when Wilson missed time with injuries.
Speaking in reaction to Wilson's tough weekend, The Ringer CEO Bill Simmons was highly critical of Wilson - brandishing him the worst quarterback in the Patriots had played "in years".
“If you're a Jets fan, that's it with you and Zach Wilson,” Simmons said on the Bill Simmons podcast. “Every Jets fan I know is like,’ I’m out. We're all out.’
“He did that press conference after, he says he didn't feel like he let the defence down. He's got multiple wide receivers lobbing upwards grenades at him, he's so bad. We were laughing every time he went back to pass, shouting ‘throw it to us, Zach!’, he tried twice! McCorney dropped one, I can't remember the other one.
"One would have been a pick 6. Then on that 3rd and one there's a great clip of this guy running open in the middle, right before the punt, and Zach just panics and throws an out pass for a loss of three. He's the worst quarterback we've played in years.”
