Following a less than impressive first 10 games (nine starts) from the No. 2 overall pick, the New York Jets surprisingly announced they were benching Zach Wilson on Monday. This move will promote Tim Boyle to the starter under center against the Miami Dolphins on Friday; with Wilson as the starter since midway through New York’s first drive of the season.
Wilson spoke with reporters a day after his demotion was announced, expressing unusual perspective and acknowledging that his poor performance had not warranted him keeping the starting job. In addition to Boyle starting, third-stringer Trevor Siemian will take over as the Jets’ immediate backup.
While Boyle is 29 years old and a career backup, and hardly a meaningful change in direction, it showcases the lack of palatable options after a particularly bad 32-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Wilson’s performance at the game was further debilitating, leading to his eventual demotion. Jets head coach Robert Salah expressed a hope for Boyle to give the team a chance to see “if we can do something different with the offense.”
It seems to indicate Wilson might have already played his final snap of the season. The Jets are looking to move away from Wilson completely and hopefully fix some issues that have been plaguing their offense.
Rodgers, during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” mentioned the Jets needed something new and noted how unfair the situation was to Wilson; eventually leading the Jets to their current predicament. At this point, the Jets are poised to decline the fifth-year option on Wilson’s rookie contract, making him a free agent after 2024.
