Jets bench Wilson for Week 12 amid struggles
The New York Jets are benching quarterback Zach Wilson.
Mike White will receive the start for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, head coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday.
Members of the Jets were informed in a team meeting shortly before Saleh's presser that Wilson wouldn't keep the starting job for the Week 12 matchup, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Wilson's play has come under increased scrutiny after a putrid performance last week in a loss to the New England Patriots. The second-year pro completed nine of his 22 passes for 77 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also finished with a season-low 50.8 passer rating.
Saleh deflected criticism of Wilson postgame following the loss to the Patriots. However, he left the door open to possibly benching Wilson earlier this week after he didn't commit to starting the former No. 2 overall pick for the Bears matchup.
The Jets head coach said Wilson's benching is "not a nail in his coffin" for the quarterback's New York tenure.
"Zach's career here is not over," Saleh explained. "That's not even close to the case. The full intent is to make sure Zach gets back on the football field at some point this year. When that is, I'll make that decision. I'm going to take it day-to-day."
He added: "The young man needs a reset. His decision-making's been fine. His practice stuff, all that stuff, has been fine, but there's some basic fundamental things that have gotten really out of whack for him. This is just an opportunity for him to sit back, focus on those things, find a way to reconnect to all the different things we fell in love with during the draft process."
Wilson will be inactive for Sunday's game against Chicago as Joe Flacco will serve as White's backup.
White appeared in four games for the Jets last season. He tallied a 1-2 record over three starts with five touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Flacco started the first three contests of the 2022 campaign as Wilson recovered from a knee injury. However, Flacco has slipped to No. 3 on the team's depth chart.
Wilson has thrown for four touchdowns to five interceptions this season while completing just over 55% of his passes. He's tallied an 8-12 record since being selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Jets are in the midst of a tight AFC East race at 6-4. The Patriots hold an identical record, while the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins share a 7-3 mark.