New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is singing somewhat of a different tune early into the team’s offseason regarding quarterback Zach Wilson.
“We’ve got a really, really good core of guys,” Saleh said about the Gang Green roster on Thursday, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. “We are going to be aggressive as heck when it comes to quarterback play and making sure we do everything we can to satisfy that position.”
Saleh spoke with media members one day after it was reported the Jets and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur “mutually” agreed to part ways.
Saleh’s words raised eyebrows because he routinely suggested throughout this past season that he viewed Wilson as the club’s long-term answer at the position. Saleh insisted in November that Wilson’s benching at that time was temporary and merely part of a “reset,” and the coach later blasted critics of the 23-year-old signal-caller for living in “this new instant-coffee world.” As recently as last week, Saleh made it known he still believed in Wilson and wanted the No. 2 pick from the 2021 NFL Draft to “get away from this game” and “just rest” after the campaign.
However, Jets owner Woody Johnson declared on Thursday he “absolutely” would splash cash to acquire a proven veteran quarterback when the new league year opens in March. Saleh sounded like he’s in favor of such an approach.
“When you can run the ball, you have good special teams, and you have a top-five defense, you’re supposed to be in the playoffs. I think we’ll be able to continue in the trajectory we had been going on,” Saleh said.
ESPN stats show Wilson ended the season last among eligible quarterbacks with a 72.8 passer rating and a 54.5% completion percentage. In nine games, he threw six touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
The Score’s Brenden Deeg has linked the Jets with Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr now that it’s clear Carr is available. Deeg also pointed out that Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers are set to hit free agency in March.
Mike White wants an opportunity to earn the Jets job, but it’s unclear if Johnson and/or Saleh view him as anything more than a spot starter.
