One Last Hurrah for Zach Wilson as a Jet?
Will quarterback Zach Wilson ever take another snap for the New York Jets?
The former No. 2 overall draft pick has one year remaining on his rookie contract and speculation suggests he won't spend that final year in Green & White. With Wilson in concussion protocol, and only one game remaining on the 2023 schedule, the 24-year-old field general may have already thrown his last pass as a Jet.
Coming off a 300-yard passing performance against Houston on December 10, Wilson suffered a head injury during a Week 15 road loss to Miami. He has not practiced since entering the protocol, allowing veteran Trevor Siemian to make back-to-back starts against Washington and Cleveland.
Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh had previously inferred that Wilson would start, if healthy. On Friday, Saleh didn't dismiss the idea of Wilson returning for the January 7 season finale
"We’ll see where he’s at. He will definitely be part of the discussion. We just need to get him healthy first., said Saleh one day after the 37-20 loss to Cleveland.
It sounded as if the Jets would be perfectly comfortable sending Siemian out for a third straight start, if necessary.
"I thought Trevor did a really nice job," said Saleh. "That’s a tough defense to go against and I thought we moved the ball well, obviously he’d want that interception he threw back. Good scheme design from Cleveland in that regard, but overall, thought he did a nice job."
Siemian finished 32-of-45 passing for 261 yards one touchdown and one pick six on Thursday Night Football.
Whether or not Wilson throws another pass, it's already been an incredibly eventful season for the embattled quarterback. Initially appearing comfortable in an understudy role behind Aaron Rodgers, Wilson was thrusted back into the QB1 role four plays into the season opener. He showed some early growth, but eventually found himself on the bench for the second year in a row. After being replaced by Tim Boyle for two starts, Wilson got another chance to start again in Weeks 14 and 15.
In what could wind up as his final season with the team that drafted him, Wilson has averaged 6.1 yards per pass to go along with eight touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
Once billed as the franchise quarterback, Wilson may not get that one last chance in New York.
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