Winning without a starting quarterback is rare in the NFL. Competition to become the primary gunslinger begins in the off-season and continues until the last game scheduled. Job security is granted to players who successfully lead their team to victory on and off the field. Individuals who struggle to improve the team are benched – allowing an opportunity for the next man up to fight for a new job.
Mike White is the latest example of the “next man up” philosophy. His performance in New York’s 31-10 victory over the Chicago Bears helped Robert Saleh’s squad earn their seventh win of the season. An extra victory in the win column excited fans watching at home, but why did White get the start over Zach Wilson?
Mike White named the starter after Wilson fumbles press conference
The lack of accountability from Wilson rubbed members of the locker room the wrong way after a 10-3 loss to the Patriots in Week 11. No.2 finished the game without a touchdown pass and only threw for seventy-seven yards – failing to keep his team in the game. Defensively, New York held the Patriots to three points throughout four quarters. When asked if he let the defense down with his performance, Wilson responded with a definitive “no.”
https://twitter.com/Leftywzp/status/1594506174124425216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It was clear that Wilson hindered the Jets in against New England and Wilson’s response opened a new can of worms. New York’s sophomore gunslinger refused to take accountability for his part in the loss – sending mixed messages to his teammates in the locker room.
A few days after Wilson’s press conference, Head Coach Robert Saleh announced New York would play behind Mike White in their exhibition game against the Bears. With playoff berths on the line, fans wondered if a change under center would cause the Jets to take an unnecessary loss to prove a point. Instead, White led the Jets’ offense through their best performance under center. No.5 threw for 351 yards and three touchdown passes – four yards shy of Wilson’s season high.
Mike White: 149.3 passer rating in Week 12
— PFF (@PFF) November 28, 2022
Highest among all QBs ✈️ pic.twitter.com/uIFHCQFuLq
Will Robert Saleh start Mike White over Zach Wilson moving forward?
White’s talent helped the Jets get one step closer to clinching a playoff berth. He protected the football, scored points, and kept a positive attitude – all attributes of a good quarterback. With six weeks left in the regular season, will fans expect to see No.5 under center again before the season’s end?
Sitting Zach worked out for Mike LaFleur’s offense last week – but what about the rest of the season? Wilson is ranked 32nd in passing yards (1,279) and 34th in passing touchdowns (4) – struggling to find his rhythm this season.
While the Jets continue to chase a playoff berth, they must ensure that their leader under center is capable of leading the team. New York knows they have a leader in White, but does the franchise have a leader in Wilson?