Zach Wilson's future in a New York Jets uniform is in focus as he looks toward 2024 following head coach Robert Saleh's comments heading into the final week of the regular season.
Once again, the Jets will not make the playoffs, extending their longest active season in professional sports to 13 consecutive seasons. The main reason for this is that Aaron Rodgers injured his Achilles tendon just four plays into his time in New York, and Wilson's performance in his third year as a Jet was lackluster.
Wilson was demoted twice in 2022 and has been benched multiple times this season. He has not yet cleared the concussion protocol associated with a head injury sustained in the Week 15 loss, so he will not be the team's starting quarterback in Week 18 against the New England Patriots. To the Miami Dolphins.
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New York Jets No. 2 Zach Wilson makes a pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on December 17, 2023. lowered. (Kevin Savitas/Getty Images)
Saleh was asked about Wilson's future next season while speaking to the media on Wednesday, and provided an update on Wilson's status.
“Let's wait and see,” Saleh said in response to a follow-up report.
Saleh prefaced his answer by outlining Wilson's 2023 campaign, which turned out to be another roller coaster.
“I thought he had great OTAs, great training camp,” he said. “I thought he fought. He fought. He's a fighter, he really is. I know he wishes he could get back and I know there's a lot of things he's improved on. Some. That was out of his control.''I think he's going to have a long career in this league.''
That career could be elsewhere, especially considering the Jets have another top pick in the NFL Draft and Rodgers is expected to be back until at least the 2024 season.
No. 17 Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and No. 2 Zach Wilson of the New York Jets face off after the Bills defeated the Jets 32-6 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on November 19, 2023. . (Brian M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Wilson has posted another losing record as a starter this season, going 4-7 in 12 games played. He was able to muster enough offense to force overtime against the Buffalo Bills, getting off to a strong start. In overtime, Xavier Gipson ran back a punt to give them the win.
However, the Jets' defense played a key role in the victory, forcing Bills quarterback Josh Allen to throw multiple interceptions and giving the offense a chance. That's been mostly true for the Jets this season, with their defense being a group that wreaked havoc on opposing offenses despite their record.
In three years in the league, Wilson went 12-21 as a starter with 6,293 yards (57% completion rate), 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. He fumbled the ball 17 times, 11 of which came this season.
Of course, Wilson is not alone in the blame for the Jets' offensive struggles, including a porous offensive line. But the defense has been playing crazy for weeks to get the team in games, and it's hard for fans to be happy with Wilson under center after showing a good job with the team.
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, 2, pockets under a presser during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Roll from. (AP Photo/John Munson)
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But that's a decision GM Joe Douglas will make heading into the offseason, which is another key time to figure things out before the 2024 season begins.
