Saleh’s Bizarre And Needless Parsing Over Jets QB Decision Undermines Confidence In White
When it comes to dealing with the New York media, Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh has deservedly received praise for being pretty straightforward. Agree or disagree with his theories on things like his somewhat conservative philosophies, elaborate defensive line rotation, or even the mini-distractions created by his disgruntled wide receivers, he usually means what he says.
Except when it comes to questions regarding the quarterback position.
Saleh had a layup of a response teed up when asked on Monday about the Mike White/Zach Wilson decisions going forward, and he blew the bunny.
White has thrown for over 300 yards in each of his two starts since Saleh demoted Wilson, the Jets No. 2 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, from starter to an inactive QB3 to help him “reset” his fundamentals. For comparison purposes, Wilson eclipsed the 300-yard barrier just once in his 20 pro starts over his two seasons where he was rated as one of the league’s worst QBs in the most important metrics.
The tipping point came after Week 11’s 10-3 loss in New England, where Wilson managed to produce just 44 net passing yards and made some ill-advised comments in his postgame press conference when asked about his own culpability.
It’s not that hard to grasp that the Jets (7-5) are simply a better offensive football team with White under center, even if his struggles in the red zone contributed to Sunday’s 27-22 loss in Minnesota. There’s no need to parse it. The team is fighting for its first playoff berth in 12 years, the NFL’s longest drought. Unless the Jets stumble and fall out of the playoff picture, a distinct possibility but not all that likely prior to the season finale in Miami, there is no circumstance where Wilson should be taking snaps over a healthy White.
But instead of simply saying something to the effect of. “It’s White’s ball as long as he gives us the best shot to win on Sunday’s,” Saleh tried to be too cute for school.
“The intent is still to get (Wilson) back on the football field (this season),” Saleh said on Monday.
What the hell is that supposed to mean? That the plan is for the Jets to lose enough games so that he can play Wilson again?
Saleh had opportunities to walk back that bizarre statement on follow-up questions but punted. He can talk all he wants about having confidence in White, but what happens if he falters in Buffalo on Sunday? The Bills had White’s number last season after his short-lived ascension into a folk hero following a 34-31 upset over Super Bowl bound Cincinnati. Buffalo crowded the short zones and baited White into four interceptions.
So, if history repeats itself, who starts the must-win game against Detroit the following week? I’m guessing it’s still White, but Saleh left the window slightly ajar. Some confidence, huh?
I think Saleh was worried too much about Wilson’s feelings, hoping that the young QB would work harder if the prize was in sight instead of sulking. The Jets have another $20.7 million, fully guaranteed, over the next two seasons invested in Wilson, so that’s enough incentive to keep trying to get him prepared to be a pro QB.
However, Saleh’s first responsibility is to the team as a whole. This group, after being kicked in the face with sand for so long, clearly has responded to White’s underdog story. The locker room loves his attitude and toughness. White’s 31-yard laser to receiver Corey Davis late in the fourth quarter to convert a 4th-and-10 on the play after getting shellacked earned him bonus points with his teammates. How often has Wilson stood up in the pocket to deliver a strike knowing a big hit was coming? His first instinct is to run away.
I still don’t think White is the Jets’ long-term solution to their neverending quarterback problem. However, he has shown he is the most capable of any of the team’s current QBs in terms of putting it in the best position to win enough of its final five games to extend is season.
That’s all Saleh had to say.