Second-Pick Showdown? New York Jets QB Zach Wilson 'Reluctant' To Face Houston Texans

The Houston Texans will visit the New York Jets on Sunday but don't yet know who they'll face under center. Zach Wilson is reportedly "reluctant" to take back the starting job.

Hitting on a franchise quarterback with the second-overall pick can do wonderful things for a franchise.

The Houston Texans took quarterback C.J. Stroud last April and it’s already paying dividends. Houston has fallen in love with its rookie passer, and at 7-5, the city has every right to be. Stroud is the runaway favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and has reshaped the perception of the Texans in a matter of months.

Swinging and missing on a quarterback has its consequences, though. The Texans will see that firsthand when they visit the New York Jets and … whatever they have going on over there … in Week 14.

New York Jets quarterback Wilson turns to hand the ball off against the New England Patriots / © Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Third-year quarterback, and former second-overall pick, Zach Wilson’s days are numbered in New York. They traded for Aaron Rodgers in the offseason to fill the hole he provides in the depth chart, but after four snaps and a torn Achilles, Wilson was back under center.

It didn’t go well, and New York’s season quickly stalled out. At 4-8, the Jets are closer to a top pick than a playoff spot and as far away from a franchise quarterback as they’ve ever been.

Wilson completed just 59.2 percent of his passes for 1,944 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions before being pulled in Week 11.

Of the 34 quarterbacks with at least 200 plays this season, Wilson ranks last in expected points added per play.

He would be replaced by Tim Boyle. Of the 43 passers with at least 90 plays, Boyle ranks 43rd in expected points added per play. In Week 13, Boyle was spelled by Trevor Siemian. Of quarterbacks with as many plays as him – 56 passers – he ranks 53rd in that same metric. By completion percentage over expected, he ranks dead last.

Rock bottom only exists when the Jets are not involved.

Things may have gotten worse on Monday.

“The Jets want to make a switch at QB,” Dianna Russini reported. “The team is leaning towards Zach Wilson to take over, but he is reluctant to stepping back in … The team is discussing next steps.”

It’s possible Wilson feels scapegoated by the team, who benched him before three more losses. An ailing offensive line and one legitimate receiver have put any passer New York has trotted out behind the eight ball. The Jets certainly have issues that are far outside of Wilson’s control, and he won’t be put in a position to succeed.

However, Wilson is not long for New York and there’s no guarantee he gets another shot in the league. First-round pedigree is meaningful to NFL decision-makers, but being historically bad is, too. Week 14 marks an opportunity, no matter how unfavorable, to put something—anything—on tape that could land him a second chance.

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Nevertheless, Houston does not know which quarterback will be starting on Sunday. It likely won’t matter, as the Texans are touchdown favorites.

The Jets’ elite defense could keep this one close, as they did in Week 13’s 13-8 loss, but the bar is quite low for Houston. Scoring just 14 points would be more than New York has managed in its last six games.

Wilson is the Jets’ best option, but this is a very winnable game for the Texans regardless of who starts. It’s an important one, too. In the thick of an AFC Wild Card race, slipping up against an inferior opponent could prove costly.

Sunday’s action is set to kick off at noon (CT) on CBS.