2023 Jets: Hello Darkness Retreat, My Old Friend

[Saints Rest]

Has there been any discussion (on SOSH or elsewhere) about what seemed to be an unusually high amount of jawing going on among the Jets skill players on the sidelines yesterday?

This past week, I heard some analysts on NYC sports radio discussing the fear that the Jets could start to lose their lockerroom if Zack continues to look out of his element. That seemed to be the root of the sideline jabber, especially from Garret Wilson.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

I was going to post something similar @Saints Rest — even with last year’s dysfunctional Pats offense, it was usually only Mac yelling at the OC, not two players at eachother, or a 3rd down back at a non-coordinator. But in my surly mood (non sports related), I wasn’t able to do it in as civilized a fashion as you did.

 

[astrozombie]

I was going to post something similar @Saints Rest — even with last year’s dysfunctional Pats offense, it was usually only Mac yelling at the OC, not two players at eachother, or a 3rd down back at a non-coordinator.

I got the sense last year that the Pats realized early on what they were in for - a mediocre season with a horrific offense led by an idiot and adjusted expectations accordingly. Why get mad when you're probably not making the playoffs anyway? Pad stats, stay healthy and wait it out. The Jets on the other hand, were built to win now and Rodgers was just replaced by the second overall pick in the draft a few years ago. Now, everyone knows he isn't good, but I imagine that there was a hope among Jets players that they could get mediocre play instead of dog shit play out of, again, the second overall pick who has been in this system. I can see frustrations boiling over. FWIW, Wilson also strikes me as one of those guys that teammates would tolerate (or maybe even like) if they were winning, but when they are losing everything about him is offputting.

 

[BusRaker]

I've never really believed in the "lose the locker room" stuff. These guys are professional athletes competing for millions of dollars of salary. They're not just going to quit because they don't like or believe in someone.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Has there been any discussion (on SOSH or elsewhere) about what seemed to be an unusually high amount of jawing going on among the Jets skill players on the sidelines yesterday?

This past week, I heard some analysts on NYC sports radio discussing the fear that the Jets could start to lose their lockerroom if Zack continues to look out of his element. That seemed to be the root of the sideline jabber, especially from Garret Wilson.

WFAN was just talking about it from the angle that if Michael Carter, a 3rd string RB feels like he can rip into a coach on the sidelines, that is a reflection on the HC.

Basically, it sounds like Saleh’s honeymoon period is over here.

 

[Philip Jeff Frye]

I've never really believed in the "lose the locker room" stuff. These guys are professional athletes competing for millions of dollars of salary. They're not just going to quit because they don't like or believe in someone.

You never did a half-assed job because you were mad at management or dissatisfied with the position in which you find yourself? You don't think anybody on a team that ought to be winning 12 games is saying, "I can't believe we bet everything on a 40 year old QB and had this chump as the only backup"? These guys know their window to win a championship is short and now the Jets braintrust has denied them what should have been a great opportunity to achieve that.

 

[BigSoxFan]

You never did a half-assed job because you were mad at management or dissatisfied with the position in which you find yourself? You don't think anybody on a team that ought to be winning 12 games is saying, "I can't believe we bet everything on a 40 year old QB and had this chump as the only backup"? These guys know their window to win a championship is short and now the Jets braintrust has denied them what should have been a great opportunity to achieve that.

The biggest thing is that these guys are largely paid on production. If your QB is throwing balls all over the place, your numbers go down and guys will get pissed. And then the defense, which is good, wears down and gets demoralized.

These guys won’t stop trying but the frustration levels will go way up.

 

[Dave Stapleton]

WFAN was just talking about it from the angle that if Michael Carter, a 3rd string RB feels like he can rip into a coach on the sidelines, that is a reflection on the HC.

Basically, it sounds like Saleh’s honeymoon period is over here.

I thought his reaction to an early game missed FG by the Pats was a bit telling. A bit over the top given game situatrion.

 

[tims4wins]

I thought his reaction to an early game missed FG by the Pats was a bit telling. A bit over the top given game situatrion.

I mean a lot of coaches do this, he ran down the sideline on the punt return in week 1. I'm not a huge rah rah head coach guy (cuz BB, duh), but I don't think that reaction really signified anything more.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I thought his reaction to an early game missed FG by the Pats was a bit telling. A bit over the top given game situatrion.

The guy is clearly feeling the pressure although I think that reaction was more just trying to fire up his team. In some respects, I actually feel bad for him. He finally gets a HC position and has the first 2 years ruined by Wilson. Then, he gets a big break with Rodgers being available AND wanting to come to the Jets and Rodgers tears his Achilles after 4 plays. Now, he has to pivot back to the kid who basically single-handedly tanked any chance of success in the prior 2 seasons. You have to wonder who is calling the shots on Wilson - is Saleh really in his corner or is he just saying all of this because he has no other real option? I just don't know how a GFIN team like the 2023 Jets don't have a more veteran backup behind Rodgers and I'm convinced they just refuse to accept the sunk cost of Zach Wilson. Sam Darnold got 3 years before being traded so wondering if they wanted to give Wilson one final year to figure it out and maybe they thought he'd benefit from Rodgers' presence or something.

All in all, just is a huge kick in the nuts for a franchise to miss so egregiously on 2 top 3 picks in a 3-4 year span. And that's without even factoring in Mekhi Becton, picked #11 overall, 2 spots before Tristan Wirfs who has already made 2 Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022.

 

[Dave Stapleton]

The guy is clearly feeling the pressure although I think that reaction was more just trying to fire up his team. In some respects, I actually feel bad for him. He finally gets a HC position and has the first 2 years ruined by Wilson. Then, he gets a big break with Rodgers being available AND wanting to come to the Jets and Rodgers tears his Achilles after 4 plays. Now, he has to pivot back to the kid who basically single-handedly tanked any chance of success in the prior 2 seasons. You have to wonder who is calling the shots on Wilson - is Saleh really in his corner or is he just saying all of this because he has no other real option? I just don't know how a GFIN team like the 2023 Jets don't have a more veteran backup behind Rodgers and I'm convinced they just refuse to accept the sunk cost of Zach Wilson. Sam Darnold got 3 years before being traded so wondering if they wanted to give Wilson one final year to figure it out and maybe they thought he'd benefit from Rodgers' presence or something.

All in all, just is a huge kick in the nuts for a franchise to miss so egregiously on 2 top 3 picks in a 3-4 year span. And that's without even factoring in Mekhi Becton, picked #11 overall, 2 spots before Tristan Wirfs who has already made 2 Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022.

Absolutely could be overinterpreting this but in the moment I was surprised at the exuberance. I think this coaching staff is challenged as noted by my other post about the OC.

 

[Philip Jeff Frye]

The guy is clearly feeling the pressure although I think that reaction was more just trying to fire up his team. In some respects, I actually feel bad for him. He finally gets a HC position and has the first 2 years ruined by Wilson. Then, he gets a big break with Rodgers being available AND wanting to come to the Jets and Rodgers tears his Achilles after 4 plays. Now, he has to pivot back to the kid who basically single-handedly tanked any chance of success in the prior 2 seasons.

And he's clearly very good at building defenses. Maybe he's one of those guys who's a great coordinator but not a great head coach, but he's gotten a pretty bad deal with the Jets.

Of course, he joined the Jets, so what did he expect...?

 

[BigSoxFan]

And he's clearly very good at building defenses. Maybe he's one of those guys who's a great coordinator but not a great head coach, but he's gotten a pretty bad deal with the Jets.

Of course, he joined the Jets, so what did he expect...?

I think when you're a DC who constantly gets passed over like Saleh did, you simply have to take the first offer you can get. But, he definitely didn't inherit a great situation. However, it's his job to evaluate and pick the QB so if he's truly backing Wilson behind-the-scenes like he's doing publicly, then that's on him. Still, though, that Rodgers injury was such bad luck. A healthy Rodgers completely changes the entire trajectory of his tenure.

 

[cshea]

And he's clearly very good at building defenses. Maybe he's one of those guys who's a great coordinator but not a great head coach, but he's gotten a pretty bad deal with the Jets.

Of course, he joined the Jets, so what did he expect...?

I think Saleh is a good coach. It's hard to overstate how bad the QB play has been for the Jets. He kept them in the playoff race and won 7 games last year with the Wilson and White shitshow. The roster is excellent everywhere except for QB. Not sure what to make of Hackett, I think he's an awful coordinator and even worse coach but was that stritcly a Rodgers appeasment or did Saleh/Douglas really believe in him?

Not sure who to blame Wilson on right now, Saleh or the GM. Saleh is playing him because he's got no other choice. That said, they probably should've just moved on after they benched him last year, especially when they acquired Rodgers. Heading into this year Wilson only had 2 more years left on his rookie deal. The plan was probably for Rodgers to play both those years and they obviously were never going to pick up the fifth year option on Wislon so there was essentially no use for Wilson. Working on developing him never made any sense once they got Rodgers. Probably should've just cut bait and worked free agency for a backup to Rodgers.

 

[scott bankheadcase]

I think when you're a DC who constantly gets passed over like Saleh did, you simply have to take the first offer you can get. But, he definitely didn't inherit a great situation. However, it's his job to evaluate and pick the QB so if he's truly backing Wilson behind-the-scenes like he's doing publicly, then that's on him. Still, though, that Rodgers injury was such bad luck. A healthy Rodgers completely changes the entire trajectory of his tenure.

We're a year away from him joining McD in Miami as his DC and the Dolphins running the league.

 

[Phil Plantier]

I recommend you watch this answer from Saleh's press conference yesterday. The transcript does not do it justice. This is coach speak for "we need another QB in the building"

View: https://www.youtube.com/live/l9PFVDkr2Jc?si=jr855qKp2D59rufE&t=339

Edit: not sure why the big screen isn't working but the little blue link underneath works.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I think when you're a DC who constantly gets passed over like Saleh did, you simply have to take the first offer you can get. But, he definitely didn't inherit a great situation. However, it's his job to evaluate and pick the QB so if he's truly backing Wilson behind-the-scenes like he's doing publicly, then that's on him. Still, though, that Rodgers injury was such bad luck. A healthy Rodgers completely changes the entire trajectory of his tenure.

I mean, he's backing Wilson because his GM didn't give him another option. They don't have anyone else in the building. The GM brought in Rodgers, then chose not to dump Wilson for PR reasons, instead of cutting bait and getting a real backup.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I mean, he's backing Wilson because his GM didn't give him another option. They don't have anyone else in the building. The GM brought in Rodgers, then chose not to dump Wilson for PR reasons, instead of cutting bait and getting a real backup.

I find it hard to believe that if Saleh said "get me veteran X" after Rodgers went down, that Douglas wouldn't go out and do it. I agree that Saleh is doing damage control but if the HC doesn't even have the clout to demand his GM find him a better QB than Wilson or Tim Boyle, then that's a problem. I just don't really understand what the Jets are doing here.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Still, though, that Rodgers injury was such bad luck.

You can credibly argue between Rodgers' age, the weakest unit on the Jets roster being their OL, bigger likelihood of some crappy home games since it's NY, and Rodgers having a calf strain already in camp (are torn Achilles related to prior aggravations? I might be spitballing here) - it wasn't much luck at all.

On the exact play he was injured if I recall, he had a wide open quick pass and held the ball - Rodgers seemed to be past his peak last year.

 

[cshea]

I find it hard to believe that if Saleh said "get me veteran X" after Rodgers went down, that Douglas wouldn't go out and do it. I agree that Saleh is doing damage control but if the HC doesn't even have the clout to demand his GM find him a better QB than Wilson or Tim Boyle, then that's a problem. I just don't really understand what the Jets are doing here.

We don't know that Saleh hasn't done that. They are publicly backing Wilson but that's because they have to. We have no idea what's happening behind the closed doors.

I think the main screw up here is the time to address the Wilson problem was the offseason. They should've cut bait and brought someone to back up Rodgers. In-season QB trades almost never happen so basically the Jets options are free agents like the corpse of Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz. I'd probably roll the dice on Wentz if I was them at this point but there's no magic solution sitting out there that Douglas is avoiding.

 

[BigSoxFan]

We don't know that Saleh hasn't done that. They are publicly backing Wilson but that's because they have to. We have no idea what's happening behind the closed doors.

I think the main screw up here is the time to address the Wilson problem was the offseason. They should've cut bait and brought someone to back up Rodgers. In-season QB trades almost never happen so basically the Jets options are free agents like the corpse of Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz. I'd probably roll the dice on Wentz if I was them at this point but there's no magic solution sitting out there that Douglas is avoiding.

That's the part I'd like to know more about. Whose ultimate call is this - Douglas or Saleh? We know why he's saying the public stuff. But, why is the organization turning down guys like Wentz? He's not very good but he's better than Tim Boyle, at least. So, you publicly support Wilson while the new guy is getting situated and then make the switch after a couple weeks, if nothing has changed.

 

[rodderick]

I've never really believed in the "lose the locker room" stuff. These guys are professional athletes competing for millions of dollars of salary. They're not just going to quit because they don't like or believe in someone.

Yeah, and as soon as guys like Garrett Wilson believe their future earnings are potentially being compromised by the decision to stick with the 68th best QBin the league, that could escalate. The Jets prepared the whole offseason as a team that was set on contending. That creates some expectations that don't just go away in a snap after Rodgers gets injured. There are probably a lot of guys on that team that believe one single player is dragging them down and getting preferential treatment they wouldn't get if they sucked to that same extent. I think it's both easy to see it going south and understandable if it does.

 

[cshea]

Yeah, I don't know why they wouldn't at least listen to Wentz or have him in for a workout. He stinks but is better than Wilson and led Indy to 9-8 and a collapse at Jacksonville away from the playoffs 2 years ago.

The Jets have an early bye, maybe they were thinking to get to the bye and re-evaluate but they are 1-2 with KC, @ DEN, @ PHI coming up so likely 2-4, at best, at the bye.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

The biggest thing is that these guys are largely paid on production. If your QB is throwing balls all over the place, your numbers go down and guys will get pissed. And then the defense, which is good, wears down and gets demoralized.

These guys won’t stop trying but the frustration levels will go way up.

I don't think anyone is going to stop giving effort - although a few of the players under contract for a while may be inclined to not go the extra yard.

More than anything, I think, players can start to develop really bad habits that effect success on the field. Trying to do too much. Blaming others for failure - even if it's internal and not ranting in the sideline - instead of looking inward on how to improve yourself. Selfish play instead of team play. Poor attitude when things start to go bad.

It's all the shit we hear as kids and Im sure plenty of us have experienced when on bad teams or in bad atmospheres. Toxicity doesn't just mean a lack of effort, and it can absolutely affect the outcome of games.

 

[tims4wins]

View: https://twitter.com/zackblatt/status/1706394422487752777?s=46


View: https://twitter.com/richcimini/status/1706386237974778319?s=46

 

[Reverend]

View: https://twitter.com/zackblatt/status/1706394422487752777?s=46


View: https://twitter.com/richcimini/status/1706386237974778319?s=46

“trustworthy”?

 

[BigSoxFan]

I'll bite. Why did your team lose yesterday, Robert?

 

[InstaFace]

Yeah, I don't know why they wouldn't at least listen to Wentz or have him in for a workout. He stinks but is better than Wilson and led Indy to 9-8 and a collapse at Jacksonville away from the playoffs 2 years ago.

The Jets have an early bye, maybe they were thinking to get to the bye and re-evaluate but they are 1-2 with KC, @ DEN, @ PHI coming up so likely 2-4, at best, at the bye.

Right, Wentz costs nothing of importance on the practice squad, and you can promote him if and when he's looking better than Wilson in practice and not before then. If you do that you're no worse off than you are today, even if Wentz is more cooked than John Madden's turducken. Why wouldn't you bring him in (or any other FA QB who you might like better)? Saleh doesn't have the luxury of punting the season.

 

[8slim]

Every Jets fan I know is ready to launch Zach Wilson into the sun. I think most of them would be cool giving Boomer Esiason a shot at this point.

For the life of me I can’t understand what the Jets are doing. The D is strong and they have very good skill position players. The last wild card team is likely to be no better than 10-7.

I guess I understand starting Wilson the past 2 weeks to see where he’s at. But it’s clear he’s beyond awful.

Why not try?

 

[luckiestman]

Saleh lies to the press without reservation so I don’t assume they are not trying just because he says so.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Every Jets fan I know is ready to launch Zach Wilson into the sun. I think most of them would be cool giving Boomer Esiason a shot at this point.

For the life of me I can’t understand what the Jets are doing. The D is strong and they have very good skill position players. The last wild card team is likely to be no better than 10-7.

I guess I understand starting Wilson the past 2 weeks to see where he’s at. But it’s clear he’s beyond awful.

Why not try?

I think after this week they have to look at it and they probably will. But it's not like there are a bunch of plug and play guys out there who could make a difference before week, say, 6 or 7. And you may need to make cap room. I guess the Jets have about $8.5 million and probably need half of that to get through the year as it is. In season cap moves are not as easy as offseason. Not a huge factor, but still one you have to deal with, while you're also trying to game plan.

Are there examples of teams bringing in complete outsiders who succeed in the middle of a year? It's hard to think of too many. You basically have to give the new guy first team reps immediately, and so they start out in a pretty rough spot and I expect that it's completely plain vanilla for several weeks. I guess Josh Dobbs is a pretty good analog this year, and it took him several weeks to get his footing. Doing that in the middle of the season seems rough. Realistically, I would think week 8 against the Giants is kind of the earliest you can really make a switch.

 

[scott bankheadcase]

I think after this week they have to look at it and they probably will. But it's not like there are a bunch of plug and play guys out there who could make a difference before week, say, 6 or 7. And you may need to make cap room. I guess the Jets have about $8.5 million and probably need half of that to get through the year as it is. In season cap moves are not as easy as offseason. Not a huge factor, but still one you have to deal with, while you're also trying to game plan.

Are there examples of teams bringing in complete outsiders who succeed in the middle of a year? It's hard to think of too many. You basically have to give the new guy first team reps immediately, and so they start out in a pretty rough spot and I expect that it's completely plain vanilla for several weeks. I guess Josh Dobbs is a pretty good analog this year, and it took him several weeks to get his footing. Doing that in the middle of the season seems rough. Realistically, I would think week 8 against the Giants is kind of the earliest you can really make a switch.

The funny part is if they had kept LaFleur, Ryan would be plug and play as it’s all Shanahan concepts that he knows.

But I don’t think that’s what Hackett runs.

 

[8slim]

I think after this week they have to look at it and they probably will. But it's not like there are a bunch of plug and play guys out there who could make a difference before week, say, 6 or 7. And you may need to make cap room. I guess the Jets have about $8.5 million and probably need half of that to get through the year as it is. In season cap moves are not as easy as offseason. Not a huge factor, but still one you have to deal with, while you're also trying to game plan.

Are there examples of teams bringing in complete outsiders who succeed in the middle of a year? It's hard to think of too many. You basically have to give the new guy first team reps immediately, and so they start out in a pretty rough spot and I expect that it's completely plain vanilla for several weeks. I guess Josh Dobbs is a pretty good analog this year, and it took him several weeks to get his footing. Doing that in the middle of the season seems rough. Realistically, I would think week 8 against the Giants is kind of the earliest you can really make a switch.

I know salvaging the season is a long shot no matter what they do. It’s just that they know Wilson is a disaster. So trying literally anyone else doesn’t seem like a big gamble.

Obviously plug and play isn’t really a thing in the NFL. But an OC should be able to give a veteran QB enough concepts, and develop a workable framework, to at least get him in the game.

 

[sodenj5]

I don’t know why the Jets wouldn’t move on from Wilson apart from Douglas and Saleh having to wear the L of drafting him in the first place.

Continuing to run him out there is going to destroy any good will that Saleh had garnered among the team if they feel their year is being wasted.

I think Saleh and Douglas are at a greater risk of being fired if Wilson looks objectively terrible, the year is lost, and he loses the rest of the team than admitting he’s terrible and bringing in any other veteran QB to try and save the season.

I think the rest of the roster would at least respect the attempt to save the season instead of running Wilson out there continually.

 

[Bowhemian]

Who else are the Jets going to play at QB? There are no decent options available

 

[jtn46]

The problem with Wentz is he throws picks. That's a ball-control offense that can't turn over the ball, and granted Zach Wilson does that now, but if they are shopping around I can see why he doesn't make any sense. Also seems generally unpopular in the locker room.

I agree with the above too that their OL is not compatible with an old immobile QB like Matt Ryan.

They should do something, it's crazy that they have given up draft picks and messed up their cap for years and after 4 plays would say "welp, guess the season's over".

 

[sodenj5]

Who else are the Jets going to play at QB? There are no decent options available

Literally anyone not named Zach Wilson. I’m only half joking.

The name that jumps out to me is Cooper Rush. The Cowboys went out and acquired Trey Lance. If they can flip Rush for an asset and have Lance serve as the backup, that could be a path for the Jets.

 

[tims4wins]

The problem with Wentz is he throws picks. That's a ball-control offense that can't turn over the ball, and granted Zach Wilson does that now, but if they are shopping around I can see why he doesn't make any sense. Also seems generally unpopular in the locker room.

I agree with the above too that their OL is not compatible with an old immobile QB like Matt Ryan.

They should do something, it's crazy that they have given up draft picks and messed up their cap for years and after 4 plays would say "welp, guess the season's over".

Is that really true re: picks? His INT rate was definitely high his last year in Philly, and last year in Washington. But in 2017-2019, and then 2021, his INT rates were 1.6, 1.7, 1.2, and 1.4. So, I think he is capable of keeping the picks down.

The bigger problem might be his accuracy. If they are a ball-control, move the chains offense, his career 62.6% might not cut it.

 

[Bowhemian]

Whatever the problem with Wentz really is, there is a reason that he is an unsigned free agent right now. That means, at least to me, that 32 NFL teams don't view him as a good enough quarterback to even be a backup.

 

[rodderick]

Whatever the problem with Wentz really is, there is a reason that he is an unsigned free agent right now. That means, at least to me, that 32 NFL teams don't view him as a good enough quarterback to even be a backup.

I think the more likely explanation is he's requesting too much money for a backup and doesn't want to be a backup.

 

[tims4wins]

I think the more likely explanation is he's requesting too much money for a backup and doesn't want to be a backup.

Well one of those issues is no longer an issue

 

[johnmd20]

Who else are the Jets going to play at QB? There are no decent options available

Me, you, anyone. Who else. . . .maybe Lieutenant Weinberg?

Anyone but Zach.

 

[scott bankheadcase]

I'm not sure why the Jets aren't at least bringing in someone like Colt McCoy. Never heard any locker room issues with him, seemed to be liked, is the definition of a functional QB, has started and led some worse teams to some wins.

If he was in starting now, they might even sniff a wild card spot. Get the team used to winning some and then Rodgers is back next year. Yes, it means you probably need to cut Wilson in the offseason, but let's face it, that's where they are at this point.

Rodgers starts, draft a QB with your no. 1 pick.

 

[joe dokes]

Literally anyone not named Zach Wilson. I’m only half joking.

The name that jumps out to me is Cooper Rush. The Cowboys went out and acquired Trey Lance. If they can flip Rush for an asset and have Lance serve as the backup, that could be a path for the Jets.

If Jerry gets involved and wants the positive PR of "The guy I got (Lance) has now moved up to #2, look how smart I am," it could happen. But replacing the guy who showed he can play a bit at #2 with a guy who hasn't is not a good football move.

 

[cshea]

The time to do all this was immediately after Rodgers went down. Bring someone, anyone in. They benched Zach last year for a reason. If they did it after week 1, they can easily sell it as Zach's our QB and we're just adding depth to a depleted position. Give Zach a few games to show something while the new guy, say Wentz or McCoy, gets up to speed. If it all blows up on Zach, then you can make a move. But they didn't even so much as bring in a 3rd QB for the practice squad. Now they've delayed it by 2 weeks, both losses. Given it's Tuesday and nothing has happened, they are going to run Zach out again on national TV, at Met LIfe, against the Chiefs on Sunday. It will go poorly. There will be boos.

 

[jtn46]

The time to do all this was immediately after Rodgers went down. Bring someone, anyone in. They benched Zach last year for a reason. If they did it after week 1, they can easily sell it as Zach's our QB and we're just adding depth to a depleted position. Give Zach a few games to show something while the new guy, say Wentz or McCoy, gets up to speed. If it all blows up on Zach, then you can make a move. But they didn't even so much as bring in a 3rd QB for the practice squad. Now they've delayed it by 2 weeks, both losses. Given it's Tuesday and nothing has happened, they are going to run Zach out again on national TV, at Met LIfe, against the Chiefs on Sunday. It will go poorly. There will be boos.

Really, when signing a soon-to-be 40-year old QB coming off an injury-riddled season that pretty dramatically affected his performance, the time do all of this was before the season started. It was not unpredictable that the Jets would need a backup QB at some point this season, and that the backup was Wilson in a GFIN year is terrible planning. What's also crazy is they are back to last year's narratives about developing Zach Wilson, even though it is super unlikely he is on the Jets roster next year, much less the starting QB.

 

[Van Everyman]

Do we know that

Really, when signing a soon-to-be 40-year old QB coming off an injury-riddled season that pretty dramatically affected his performance, the time do all of this was before the season started. It was not unpredictable that the Jets would need a backup QB at some point this season, and that the backup was Wilson in a GFIN year is terrible planning. What's also crazy is they are back to last year's narratives about developing Zach Wilson, even though it is super unlikely he is on the Jets roster next year, much less the starting QB.

There is a piece of me that wonders whether their lack of a Plan B at QB was due to Rodgers himself not wanting them to spend any capital or roster building efforts on one. The whole “Rodgers thinks of Zach like a brother” narrative exists for a reason – it’s because he represents no threat to Rodgers’ supremacy. Just ask Jordan Love.

 

[Gash Prex]

I cannot imagine a circumstance where starting Zach Wilson should be an option to start again for any NFL team for the next few years. The jets would be well served with a QB that will simply manage the game ala Colt McCoy. Or if they are feeling more ambitious try to trade for a Jacoby Brisset or Tyrod Taylor or something

It is my opinion that Zach Wilson needs to go to an NFL darkness retreat for a few years and see if he can re-invent himself ala Geno Smith at some point but playing him is just not an option IMO.

I think the Jets (like always) bought into the "Hard Knocks" hype with Wilson that he was somehow magically a different player after 2 months with Aaron Rodgers...and he appears to be worse.

 

[cshea]

Really, when signing a soon-to-be 40-year old QB coming off an injury-riddled season that pretty dramatically affected his performance, the time do all of this was before the season started. It was not unpredictable that the Jets would need a backup QB at some point this season, and that the backup was Wilson in a GFIN year is terrible planning. What's also crazy is they are back to last year's narratives about developing Zach Wilson, even though it is super unlikely he is on the Jets roster next year, much less the starting QB.

I think they should've moved on from Wilson after last year, but I also don't think they were going to get a decent, veteran backup. I don't think they sign someone like Dalton/Minshew/Brissett to hold the clipboard for Rodgers. Those guys tend to sign with teams with young QB's. With Rodgers in place they probably weren't going to do better than Tim Boyle as a backup anyway. They absolutely should've acted after week 1 though even if the options aren't ideal.

 

[Was (Not Wasdin)]

I've never understood drafting a QB and then throwing him in as a starter in week 1. Almost by definition, the team is going to suck. There are a ton of guys who likely benefitted from sitting for a year or two while learning. I thought that the Jets screwed up by not bringing in a vet starter last year, and I thought BB was wrong to start Mac in week one, his relatively successful season that year aside (although I probably would have lit myself on fire if I had to sit through another season of Cam Newton). There is just so much to learn. Even Trey Lance, who was drafted onto a loaded roster, was expected to sit for a year.