Jets Bench Quarterback Zach Wilson, Will Start Mike White in Week 12
Analysis 11/23/22
The New York Jets have benched quarterback Zach Wilson for their Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears and will start Mike White in his place, ESPN reported. Jets' players were informed during a team meeting on Wednesday morning.
"This move only makes sense if the Jets do not plan on going back to Zach Wilson in the future," former Jet and The 33rd Team analyst Laveranues Coles said. "They have just told the entire Jets community they have squandered another high pick away on a QB."
This comes after Wilson's poor performance in the team's loss to the New England Patriots in Week 11, when he completed only nine total passes for 77 yards, which led to just three points. The young Jets' quarterback stirred up controversy in his post-game press conference when he replied "no" when asked if he let his defense down.
Former New York Jets wide receiver and The 33rd Team analyst Wayne Chrebet had some strong words for Wilson following the game.
"I've defended this guy all season, and he plays one of the worst games I've seen as a Jet," Chrebet said on Tuesday. "When I was a Jet, I had 15 quarterbacks, and I've never seen a worse game than that."
The 33rd Team analyst Rick Spielman believes Wilson's biggest mistake wasn't his play on the field but his answer to whether he let the Jets' defense down against the Patriots.
"If Wilson is going to be considered a leader of this football team, regardless of if it was the offense, defense or special teams that let the team down, you take responsibility," Spielman said on Sunday. "That's your role as a leader. As a leader of that team, you need to take that responsibility."
White started in three games for the Jets last season and finished 1-2 during that span. In those three games, White threw for 953 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions. His best start was on Oct. 31, 2021, when he threw for 405 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
White will be backed up by Joe Flacco, and Wilson will be a healthy scratch this week.
Wilson's record was 5-2 before being benched, with both losses coming against the Patriots. However, his numbers are underwhelming at best. He's thrown just four passing touchdowns, along with five interceptions, while completing 55.6 percent of his passes so far this season.