The New York Jets are off to a great start heading into their bye week. They’re 6-3 after a big win over the Buffalo Bills and things are looking up for them.
Despite injuries to Breece Hall and other key members of the offense, the Jets have continued along and are finding ways to win games. New York has now won five of its last six games after starting 1-2.
Second-year quarterback Zach Wilson has been under center for each of those last six games. There has been a bit of a quarterback controversy surrounding the Jets with Wilson, especially after the meltdown in New England. Nevertheless, the young quarterback has the confidence of his head coach and the Jets will look to hold onto their playoff spot in the second half.
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh joined NFL insider Josina Anderson on the Audacy Original Podcast “The Crew” and had high praise for his young quarterback.
“When we’ve had to call his name and we needed to lean on his arm, he’s done it,” Saleh said (13:45 in player above). “We didn’t need it against Miami. We didn’t need it against Green Bay. We didn’t need it against Denver. The New England game, it was just mistakes. Things were going fine.”
Wilson threw three interceptions against the Patriots, including two in the second half. The Jets made it a five-point game but couldn’t climb all the way back. But Wilson and the Jets bounced back this past Sunday against the Bills.
“When you look at the Buffalo game, he converted two third downs with his feet. He got that big third down to Mims to extend the clock. He made timely plays,” Saleh continued. “Buffalo just is one of the top defenses in football and I thought he played really well.”
There can be big swings in sports, especially when it comes to a quarterback, but Saleh is riding steady with Wilson.
“At the end of the day, we have all the confidence in the world in him that if we need him to go make plays he’ll go make plays. He’s going to continue to get better,” Saleh said. “People forget that he’s playing behind an o-line that’s kind of had some shuffling, and they’re doing a great job. They had a really nice game against Buffalo. And he’s playing with a bunch of young receivers, too, and a whole new set of players and they’re all growing together. That’s why I think it’s really cool what we’re seeing with our offense.”
The Jets have a handful of offensive linemen on the injury report along with the aforementioned Hall. Still, Wilson and the Jets are finding a way to get it done.
“As the season goes and the games get bigger I think he’s going to continue to find himself. He’s going to find ways to get better. He’s not even close to where we think he’s going to go,” Saleh continued. “I’ve said it before, you’d be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that he’s light years ahead of where he was a year ago and he’s going to continue to find ways to get better. When we’re looking at him this time next year, for example, he’s going to be light years ahead even next year. He’s got a great mindset to him. He’s going to continue to find ways to get better and I think as the games get bigger he’ll get bigger too.”
Wilson and the Jets will have a chance to avenge their loss to the Patriots next Sunday off their bye week.
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