The long, surreal nightmare for New York Jets fans is finally over.
No, it won’t magically bring back Aaron Rodgers – at least not yet – but failed-2nd overall pick Zach Wilson has FINALLY been benched.
The question is, what the hell took so long??? … Maybe one day we’ll find out.
For now, we’re left with the reality that the Zach Wilson era in New York is (most likely) over.
(However, being that Rodgers loves him so much, and that the organization seems to do whatever Aaron wants, he could wind up backing up once again next season.)
But let’s not spoil the fun … The fact of the matter is, Tim Boyle has officially taken over for Wilson.
Head coach Robert Saleh announced the decision on Monday.
Boyle will get the start when the Jets take on the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium this Friday … Trevor Siemian, signed from the practice squad, will serve as Boyle’s backup, while Wilson will be the #3 quarterback under the NFL’s new emergency-quarterback rule.
Jets to start Tim Boyle at QB vs. Dolphins in Week 12. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/R5Aho4Ioeg
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
Saleh explained the quarterback change, saying: “It’s really just to give [Boyle] an opportunity, a different style of quarterback. It’s really just to give him an opportunity to see if we can do something with the offense.”
The decision has significant long-term implications for the Jets, as Wilson, once considered the future of the franchise, now faces an uncertain future.
The original plan was for Wilson to learn under Rodgers for a few years before reclaiming the starting position, but that plan now seems unlikely.
Zach Wilson can’t do anything right pic.twitter.com/5ZaCe14Vge
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 19, 2023
While Saleh expressed confidence in Wilson’s, he declined to comment on Wilson’s future with the Jets, stating that such matters would be addressed in the offseason.
Saleh insisted that the team had not considered releasing Wilson.
“Like I said, it’s not all on him, but there are things that he needs to be better at,” he said, avoiding a direct critique of Wilson. “This is just another situation to see if we can get another guy an opportunity to see if something can change.”
Wilson, the #2 pick in the 2021 draft, was pressed into action early in the season when Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles.
However, the Jets offense struggled mightily under his leadership, managing only nine touchdown drives in nearly 10 full games, with the worst red zone and third-down efficiency in modern NFL history.
15 years, 16 QBs #Jets pic.twitter.com/AzGr30vzbg
— Dylan (@nyjetsfansonly) November 21, 2023
For the season, Wilson ranks 30th out of 31 qualified passers in QBR (30.7), with only six touchdown passes.
In three years, he holds an 11-20 record as a starter, with 21 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.
The Jets decision to keep Wilson as Rodgers’ understudy last season instead of acquiring a proven veteran backup has come under great scrutiny.
“You could always play the hindsight-is-20/20 game, but we felt like we did what was best for the organization, best for the team,” Saleh said.
“It’s been an unfortunate series of events when you look at all the injuries on the line and just the things that have transpired since the start of the year.”
Zach Wilson showing up to bars Thanksgiving night knowing he doesn’t have to work Friday
pic.twitter.com/tEe4wMkARz— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) November 20, 2023
As for the newly appointed Boyle, the 29-year-old is an NFL journeyman with limited starting experience.
He went 0-3 with three touchdowns and six interceptions in three starts for the Detroit Lions in 2021.
In Sunday’s relief outing against the Bills, he completed 7 of 14 passes for 33 yards and an interception.
Introducing the man who will save the season. His talent completely outshines Zach Wilson’s.
Tim Boyle CLUTCH Compilation: pic.twitter.com/y7N1JA4rhO
— jetscity (@jetscityy) November 20, 2023
Losers of three-straight games, the Jets are 4-6 and seem to be going nowhere fast, despite possessing one of the league’s best defenses.
As far as Wilson – Those BYU days seem like a lifetime ago…
What happened to this guy man
pic.twitter.com/87B26b7ncd— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 19, 2023
What do you make of the entire situation?
Is Saleh, GM Joe Douglas and Owner Woody Johnson the only three people in the world to not realize that Wilson is not a starting quarterback at the NFL level?
Is Wilson the single-worst draft pick in NFL history???