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The New York Jets’ playoff hopes are slowly but surely beginning to fade off into the distance.
After a surprise 7-5 start to the season, New York has lost its last three games and now sits outside looking in at the AFC playoffs with just two games remaining.
Much of the Jets’ recent struggles can be attributed to issues at the quarterback position. Mike White took over the starting job from 2021 No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson and has New York headed in the right direction. But a Week 14 injury put White on the shelf and Wilson back in control.
In the two games since, Wilson is just 27-of-53 for 409 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Jets are averaging 10 points per game in those starts and lost both games.
Wilson was so bad in New York’s 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night that he was benched for a practice squad call-up and roundly booed by the New York crowd.
The embarrassing showing combined with Wilson’s previously reported issues with his teammates in the locker room led many to believe he may have started his last game for the organization.
But not so fast.
Robert Saleh Says Fans ‘Haven’t Seen The Last Of’ Zach Wilson
After the game, New York Jets coach Robert Saleh was asked about Wilson’s performance. Rather than throw his QB under the bus, he attempted to build him back up.
#Jets HC Robert Saleh said they didn't intend to bench Zach Wilson tonight. The goal was to get the run game going by bringing in Chris Streveler — and they eventually opted to stick with him once they realized the offense got a spark.
"We haven't see the last of him [Zach]."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 23, 2022
Salah mentioned that “we haven’t seen the last of him” regarding Wilson, which fans took as a threat.
Saleh making threats ⚔️ https://t.co/yx1pemqIht
— Scott Fontana (@Scott_Fontana) December 23, 2022
This is a threat https://t.co/qnH7PD64Cq
— a (@nobetsonthejets) December 23, 2022
Jets Coach Robert Saleh Issues Threat to NFL Fans Everywhere
— Nick Santangelo (@SickNantangelo) December 23, 2022
The comment angered New York fans who probably hope they’ll never have to see Wilson play again in a Jets uniform.
If Mike White is not the starter next week man will I be devastated
— Shoe (@ShoeAiden) December 23, 2022
“We haven’t seen the last of him (Zach Wilson)” – Robert Saleh https://t.co/tdOJsIHind pic.twitter.com/j8xckNIsSo
— in rainbows (@SF_commish) December 23, 2022
Seriously, this is a fireable offense. Stubbornness and not reading the locker room, his badge and key wouldn’t even work tomorrow if he decides to stick with him. https://t.co/ulmv6fIhvn
— Darren Smith (@DarrenSmithNFL) December 23, 2022
Through 22 career games, Wilson has completed just 55.2 percent of his passes for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
That’s probably not what Saleh and the Jets hoped for when they used a first-round draft pick on the former BYU star just a year ago. But it may well be time for them to cut bait rather than doubling down.