Zach Wilson is one step closer to returning to the starting lineup…maybe.
Head coach Robert Saleh told reporters Wednesday that the former No. 2 overall pick has been moved up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Joe Flacco has been dropped to No. 3.
Still, “this is Mike White’s opportunity,” says Saleh and the Jets are still operating as if he will start Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
The Jets began mulling the decision to elevate Wilson after Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, particularly after Flacco struggled in his brief appearance in place of the injured White.
White will be limited during Wednesday’s practice as he recovers from his rib injury from Sunday, but the plan is still for him to be QB1 in Week 15.
Saleh did say the quarterback plan remains week-to-week, but the reality seems to be time is running out for him to make the switch back to Wilson, especially if White continues to play as well as he has.
Saleh did say Wilson has been working “relentlessly” to work on his fundamentals over the last three weeks.
Saleh says the Jets are moving Zach Wilson up to backup QB for Sunday’s game vs the Lions. Says Wilson has been doing a great job in practice and has worked “relentlessly” over the past three weeks on fixing his fundamentals.
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) December 14, 2022
In the end, this was the right move. If worst comes to worst with White during a game, the Jets would feel better having Wilson step in at this point rather than Flacco. The question now becomes whether Wilson can climb back into the QB1 spot in 2022. There’s only a month (and hopefully more for the Jets) left to find out.
