The Jets’ ability to beat the Bills on Monday even without Rodgers underscores how complete the rest of the team is. In many ways, whether Saleh believes the narrative he’s sharing or not, this is his best choice. During Monday’s 22-16 overtime win against the Bills, Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Saleh referenced the offseason and preseason as examples. He's in a great frame of mind, loving the game of football, loving the process that he's going through. “From a mental standpoint, he's so much different than this time a year ago. “It’s more ‘confidence.’ I should say confidence in terms of just his ability to, from the process and the practice habits, not that they were bad, there's a confidence, like teammates want to see each other make plays and have confidence that you can do your job to the best of your ability. "Let me fix that word ‘rapport,’” Saleh said. Saleh corrected himself in his next answer. Just the way he's kind of handled himself has been fantastic.” I think he's been able to rebuild rapport with his teammates. “We're excited to be able to do that with him. “Obviously, he will acknowledge he still has a lot of things to learn and grow,” Saleh said. The Jets’ head coach now touts Wilson as “leap years ahead” of where he was last year, “so much different” after making a “drastic improvement.” “He has proven to be a very capable quarterback.”ĭo expectations change for Jets with Zach Wilson at QB1? Yes and no “Zach is a very capable quarterback,” Saleh said. In making his case for Wilson on Tuesday, Saleh pointed to the Jets’ 5-1 record with Wilson at quarterback last season before the team lost running back Breece Hall (torn ACL) and offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (torn triceps) for the season. In 22 games across those two seasons, the Jets went 8-14 as Wilson completed just 55.2% of pass attempts and threw more interceptions (18) than touchdowns (15). What followed were two years in which Wilson failed to fill the role of franchise quarterback, on and off the field. The Jets selected Wilson with the second overall draft pick in 2021. We're rolling with Zach and excited for him and this opportunity that he's gonna get.” Wilson’s Jets career has underwhelmed We're really excited about his opportunity. “I do want to make it very clear: Zach's our quarterback,” Saleh said Tuesday in a Zoom media conference. Whether via trade or free agency, the Jets say they will not create a quarterback competition with Wilson. But Saleh insists that the search for quarterback depth will be just that - depth. It’s entertaining to consider what might happen if the Jets made another wild trade or lured out of retirement someone such as seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. The Jets say that is their 2023 game plan. The Jets are planning to ride with Zach Wilson as their starting quarterback the rest of the season. The approach dovetails with the biggest challenge the Jets now face: rallying a playoff-caliber collection of talent around quarterback Zach Wilson. Guys are excited about being able to step up and continue the things that we've been building. I don't look at it like, ‘Woe is me’ here for the organization. Take Saleh’s response when asked Tuesday about his disappointment over Rodgers missing the remainder of the season due to a torn Achilles that will require surgery. Monday night and again Tuesday afternoon, Saleh distinguished between feeling disappointed for Rodgers and disappointed for his team. Saleh has chosen the latter, almost to an unbelievable point. Or Saleh could refocus on the players - and the quarterback - still available on his roster. The New York Jets head coach could wallow in the disappointment that weighs on his franchise after losing four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers just four snaps into their marriage.
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