Zach Wilson understands benching: I don’t think I’m being scapegoated
The Jets benched Zach Wilson for Friday’s game against the Dolphins, and the 2021 second overall pick will serve as the third quarterback behind starter Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian.
Wilson’s 73.8 passer rating ranks 30th, and the Jets rank 30th in yards and 30th in points. In their current three-game losing streak, the Jets have scored 24 total points.
Wilson was asked Tuesday whether he feels like the scapegoat.
“I don’t think I’m being scapegoated. Absolutely not,” Wilson said, via video from SNY Jets. “You’ve got to look at the situation. We’re not scoring touchdowns. Like, regardless of what I’m doing, my job as a quarterback is to help us score points. That’s what I’ve said to you guys. I can sit here and say I’ve had a bunch of growth and tremendous whatever this year, but if you’re not scoring touchdowns, it doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t. I get that. That’s a quarterback’s job to help everybody be on the same page, and help everybody get to the right place and do the right things, and we’re not doing that all the way across the board, so you can’t just keep doing the same thing.”
It is the third time in 13 months for Wilson to lose the starting job for performance reasons.
Wilson has come a long way in his maturity, learning a lesson 364 days ago when he was asked after a loss to the Patriots whether he had let the defense down. Wilson was skewered for his one-word answer “no” to the question.
In his media session Tuesday, Wilson was thoughtful in his answers, saying all the right things while offering support to teammates.
His play, though, has not improved over the past year, and he said he was not surprised when Jets coach Robert Saleh decided to bench him this week.
“Not surprised, either way,” Wilson said. “Like I said to you guys, when not scoring touchdowns consistently, and [when] we’re letting our defense down and [when] we’re not putting up points, what do you expect? You can sit there and be happy with the progress I feel like I’ve made personally, but like, it doesn’t matter if you can’t score, and I truly understand that. It starts with the quarterback, and it’s finding a way to get it done, and we’re not doing that. If you keep doing the same thing, nothing is going to change. So, I understand.”
Wilson might have played his final game with the Jets, with Aaron Rodgers expected back next season. The Jets are likely to upgrade the backup quarterback situation in the offseason.
But Wilson insists he’s not thinking about his future yet.
“That’s not something I’ve thought about. It’s really not,” Wilson said. “I think where I’m at is I truly do have so much love and care for this offense. I’m really to the point where I want to see us succeed whether I’m out there or not. Me and Timmy have grown extremely close. He’s somebody I’m very close with, a very dear friend I have a lot of love for. How can I help him? How can I help the guys? How can I be a part of this team and this offense? Regardless of me being out there, I’ve got a lot of love for these guys and everyone in this locker room. So, how can I help them? And we’ll handle the rest later.”
Wilson has six touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games this season, and the Jets are 3-6 in his nine starts.
