EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — New York Jets midfielder Zach Wilson suffered perhaps the most humiliating game of his NFL career, when he was booed Thursday night at MetLife Stadium and replaced by a former practice quarterback. Chris Streveler in the previous 19-3 loss Jacksonville Jaguar.
“Yes, it is [tough]”, Wilson said of the booing fans. “I don’t blame them. We have a huge fan base and they are here to watch us score. We didn’t score on touches, we didn’t score first, we didn’t move the ball and obviously we couldn’t pitch. Of course they will be disappointed.”
Wilson completed only nine of 18 92-yard passes and one interception, which happened in desperation before halftime. He finished with 5.2 QBR. It was the Jets’ fourth loss in a row, nearly killing their playoff chances.
Coach Robert Saleh said he did not consider leaving Wilson on the bench during halftime despite their 66 yards total and 13-3 lead, but he eliminated him with 3:31 remaining. again in the third inning. It was March 16. In his place was Streveler, who was called off the training team just hours before the game. He immediately leads the offense to its longest run, even though it delivers no points.
Saleh said he didn’t put Wilson on the bench. He said he went to Streveler in the hope that his running ability would revive their sleeping ground game. While that may have been the initial reason for the change, Saleh let Strevler play for the rest of the game, keeping Wilson, 2021 second overall pick, on the bench.
Wilson was substituted five weeks ago White Mikea previous fifth round pick of dalas cowboy the initiator of the crime. On Thursday night, he was replaced by a journeyman, who is famous for his three wins from behind in pre-season.
“We’re trying to make changes so the game is going,” Saleh said. “I know Zach is struggling. Streveler comes on, he makes a couple of plays, sparks the attack and plays explosively. It snowballs in Strev’s favour. So we wanted to. give him a chance to finish the leg. Because when we got it back, we decided we were here, so let’s go with Strev.”
The Jets showed signs of life with Streveler, who dashed 54 yards and completed 10 of 15 90-yard passes on his season debut.
Wilson remained on the sidelines, ready to return to the game, but he never received the call. The rain-soaked crowd cheered when Streveler walked in, and fans loved his improvisational, gritty style. The pre-match plan was to use him with a small pack of plays running, but they expanded his repertoire as the fourth quarter continued.
The Jets activate three quarterbacks for the first time, with Striveler and Joe Flacco support Wilson. Flacco saw no action.
Wilson said he had no problem with the change in the third quarter.
“We have nothing there,” he said of the offense. “Unexceptionable [Saleh] in that situation. He got Chris out there, and he’s obviously great with his legs and arms, and he was able to give us a bit of a spark there. You can see that was the time we moved the ball the most of the day, so you can’t blame him.”
It was the first time Wilson was substituted in a match uninjured. On November 23, he was benched for the first time after a 77-yard game day New England Patriots.
He appeared to be speechless, admitting his confidence was shaken and saying he was not good enough compared to his teammates.
“Dude, I don’t know,” he said. “I just feel like I don’t have any rhythm out there. [I was] just trying to find confidence out there on the pitch, just find something that keeps us going — a little spark. I can’t get anything there, man.
“Yes, it’s tough and I’m trying to get through it,” added Wilson. “But I have to be optimistic here. I believe in myself, no matter who else does.”
Saleh said, “It would be remiss if you didn’t try to acknowledge the fact that there is a confidence there because when people are confident, they can conquer the world. We have to help him and that. Start with training.”
Saleh declined to speculate on who started his Week 17. Chances are, they’ll get back with White (broken rib), but he hasn’t been allowed to contact him yet. If he’s not cleared, the Jets will have a tough decision.
Saleh said of Wilson: “We haven’t seen him for the last time.
