Robert Saleh Says He Hasn't Lost Any Confidence in Mike White
Mike White's three-week stint as the Jets' starting quarterback has featured some historic highs and devastating lows.
It began with White's first career start back in Week 8, a timeless performance against the Bengals that resulted in an upset victory. White threw for 405 yards, he tossed three touchdown passes and won over Gang Green's rabid fan base in one fell swoop.
A few days later, on Thursday Night Football, White was solid for a quarter before exiting the game with a forearm injury. Still, the White experience was going strong.
That changed on Sunday. White was outclassed by the Bills' defense in a 28-point loss, throwing four picks.
READ: Mike White Experience Ends in Miserable Fashion as Bills Bash Jets
And yet, after digesting this team's latest humiliating effort, Jets head coach Robert Saleh still has faith in White under center.
"I still have a lot of confidence in Mike," Saleh told reporters on Monday afternoon. "Did he play his best? No. Is he capable of playing better than that? Absolutely."
Saleh singled out Buffalo's elite defense, a group that has grown together over the last several years into one of the best defensive units in the sport.
"They're pretty freakin' good, they've been together for four years and they're so precise in how they operate," Saleh said. "Credit to them. But haven't lost faith in Mike at all."
The head coach also pointed out how quickly fans in New York can turn on a player after one bad performance. It's Saleh's first year in this market, so it's no surprise he's not accustomed to New York's love-hate relationship with players when they sniff success, but he does have a point with White.
"This market fascinates me in the sense that he was anointed the next coming after one game and now everyone wants to throw him away. He deserves better than that," Saleh explained.
There's still a slight chance that White starts next Sunday against the Dolphins. It depends chiefly on the health of rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, who has missed the last three games with a sprained PCL. but Saleh left the door open for any possibility at quarterback on Monday, saying he'll make a decision on his starter in the next few days.
MORE:
- Jets' Defense Plummeted to Historic Low in Ugly Loss to Bills
- Jets’ Rookie Michael Carter Is Running Toward Daylight
- Ex-Jets’ Scout Says Mike White Proves Zach Wilson Is a Bust
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