As the New York Jets were preparing to face the Chicago Bears in Week 12, head coach Robert Saleh made a huge change. Starting quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was going to be removed from the lineup in favor of Mike White. Wilson wasn’t even the backup, as that job went to Joe Flacco with Wilson not even being active for the game.
The benching was warranted as Wilson has not played well this season. The last straw was a 9-for-22 performance against the New England Patriots in which Wilson threw for only 77 yards and the Jets’ offense failed to get beyond their own 35-yard line in the second half. But, more so than the performance itself, Wilson was likely benched for how he carried himself after it.
During a post-game press conference, Wilson was asked if he felt the offense had let down the defense, who gave up only three points. He responded with a resounding no. How he carried himself in the locker room, believing that he wasn’t part of the problem, rubbed some people the wrong way and a change was made.
For at least one game, that was the correct decision. White tore up the Bears, completing 22-of-28 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns despite less-than-ideal conditions. It was a cold, rainy and windy afternoon at MetLife Stadium but that didn’t phase White, who was poised and in control of the offense all afternoon.
Despite playing behind the same offensive line and with the same weapons as Wilson, the offense looked totally different with White running the show. As Hall of Fame head coach Bill Cowher pointed out on the NFL on CBS postgame show, the team is responding to White and there is a different level of chemistry with him on the field. Cowher offered some advice to Wilson as well during the segment.
“[Zach Wilson], I hope you sit back right now and take some notes about what leadership is all about.”
Zach Wilson has immense talent but right now he doesn’t have the maturity level or leadership qualities to take the Jets to the levels they are capable of reaching. White has exhibited them whenever his number has been called and Gang Green is going to ride the positive momentum for as long as they can.
