Jets’ Zach Wilson rejects ‘scapegoat’ tag after being benched،
FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Exactly one year ago, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was on the bench for the first time. This one, he says, is different.
Although he accepted his latest demotion without objection, Wilson said he believes he is an improved player who has paid the price for an offense that has scored just nine touchdowns in 10 games. But he doesn’t think he was treated unfairly.
“I don’t think I was a scapegoat. Absolutely not,” he said Tuesday. “You have to look at the situation. We’re not scoring touchdowns. No matter what I do, my job as quarterback is to help us score points. I can sit here and say I had some a lot of growth and great whatever this year, but if you don’t score touchdowns, it doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t. And I understand that.
On Monday, Wilson – drafted No. 2 in 2021 – was replaced by journeyman Tim Boyle, who will start Friday against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Boyle will be their third starter. Aaron Rodgers played only four games before tearing an Achilles tendon, forcing Wilson back into the lineup in what was supposed to be a “redshirt year,” as coach Robert Saleh called it.
Wilson lost his grip on the starting job on November 22, when he was benched in favor of Mike White. A poor performance against the New England Patriots, coupled with a postgame press conference in which he deflected blame, factored into that decision.
“It’s very different,” Wilson said, comparing the two situations. “Obviously I didn’t do anything good last year. It was well deserved. I felt like it was deserved in the locker room. But where I’m at right now is is like we’re really struggling as an offense. It’s hard to point fingers at anyone. Hopefully we can figure things out and I’ll accept if that’s the problem.
“Whatever happens, I just want this team to succeed. But this is different. I know I’m a different player. I know I’ve come a long way. I understand the game better, I feel confident while playing.” For some reason I can’t do it. I understand this comes with the position. It’s unfortunate, but I will continue to work. “
Wilson showed occasional flashes in the Jets’ four wins, but he struggled with consistency. Out of 32 qualified passers, he ranks 30th in Total QBR (30.8), 32nd in completion percentage (59.2) and 30th in yards per attempt (6.1). On Sunday, the Jets (4-6) lost their third straight game, falling to the Buffalo Bills 32-6. Boyle replaced Wilson in the third quarter, clearing the way for a change.
The lack of continuity on the offensive line has been a major problem. The Jets used eight starting combinations and a league-high 11 total starters. Against the Bills, the line included two players in their first NFL game: guard Chris Glaser and tackle Carter Warren.
Not only was he benched, but Wilson was demoted to third, behind Boyle and Trevor Siemian, neither of whom were on the 53-man roster at the start of the season. Boyle was on the practice squad. Siemian, who arrived at the end of September, was signed to the practice squad on Tuesday.
“I can’t take it personally,” Wilson said of the drop on the depth chart. “It’s not a bullet against me.”
He said he was not at all surprised by Saleh’s decision. Wilson, signed through 2024, said he hasn’t thought about his future. With a cap hit of $11.2 million in 2024, it seems unlikely the former BYU star will be back.
“I want to see us succeed whether I’m on the field or not,” said Wilson, whose record as a starter is 10-21.
Saleh said he hopes Boyle can provide a much-needed spark against the powerful Dolphins. Boyle is 0-3 as a starter (all with the Detroit Lions in 2021) and only has 120 career attempts, but he has played in this offense before and has experience with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett .
“I’m not someone who’s going to be shocked at that point,” Boyle said, adding that he thinks “you have to feel unsafe out there.”
Boyle went undrafted in 2019 after a nondescript career at UConn and Eastern Kentucky. He only had one season as a full-time starter and finished his career with more interceptions than touchdowns.
“Accountability is the quarterback’s priority and I didn’t play well in college, but here I am in year six in the NFL,” he said. “I feel like I have enough. I can get the ball out on time and make all the throws. I can see in the pocket and be a good quarterback for this team, so that’s what I I intend to do.”
