Zach Wilson likely isn’t the answer to the quarterback solution that the New York Jets have been searching for and the organization may need to turn elsewhere soon.
It was an ugly performance for the second-year quarterback on Thursday Night Football in a 19-3 loss against Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wilson played almost three-quarters of the game and threw for just 92 yards in a game the Jets had to have to keep realistic playoff hopes alive.
To make matters worse for Wilson, he was yanked out of the game and replaced by quarterback Chris Streveler, who was on the practice squad just a couple of days ago.
Streveler in just over a quarter was more effective than Wilson was all night, passing and rushing for 90 and 54 yards respectively.
While Wilson has shown off his big-play ability and talent at times this season, he has been unable to put it together consistently.
On the season, Wilson has completed just 54.5% of his passes and has thrown just six touchdown passes to seven interceptions.
Some Jets fans have already had enough of Wilson and were chanting for Streveler to come into the game in the third quarter.
If the organization is ready to move on from the 2021 second-overall pick, names that will come to mind are veteran quarterbacks including future Hall of Famers Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and of course Jimmy Garoppolo.
While those quarterbacks will clearly be upgrades over Wilson next year, the Jets would be foolish to disregard one name – and that’s Mike White.
Sure, he might be a no-name in the eyes of many NFL fans and pundits considering where he was drafted but White has provided the Jets with a spark for the most part.
In the game he replaced Wilson against the Chicago Bears, the former fifth-round pick lit up the stat sheet, throwing 315 yards and three touchdown passes in the rain.
He also did not turn the ball over.
Additionally, White is only still 27 years old compared to Brady and Rodgers, who are 45 and 39 years old respectively.
So he could have a much longer future with the Jets compared with a veteran.
But unfortunately for White, he reportedly suffered multiple rib fractures and will not return until the doctors clear him for contact.
While Jets head coach Robert Saleh has not committed to a week 17 starter for the Jets, it obviously has to be White if healthy.
Wilson’s poor play might force the organization to look in another direction in 2023 – but White deserves to be in the conversation with other veteran quarterbacks.
