Jets chasing QB answer as playoff hopes fade

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets are heading into their mini-bye -- and apt beyond -- with a large backmost question.

Beleaguered Zach Wilson appears to person mislaid the assurance of manager Robert Saleh, who was noncommittal Friday connected his Week 17 backmost plans. Wilson could beryllium benched again adjacent if Mike White isn't cleared to look the Seattle Seahawks connected Jan. 1 due to the fact that of his fractured ribs.

"We've got time," Saleh said, passing connected an accidental to corroborate Wilson's status. "I don't person those answers for you yet."

The Jets' different options are Joe Flacco and practice-squad backmost Chris Streveler, who sparked the offense, albeit briefly, successful a alleviation relation Thursday nighttime during a 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wilson played truthful poorly that helium was booed passim the crippled and spent the last 18 minutes connected the bench, watching Streveler, a journeyman successful his play debut, energize the squad and the MetLife Stadium crowd.

The Jets (7-8) person dropped 4 consecutive and Saleh acknowledged that their playoff chances are "far-fetched," but Wilson's aboriginal remains a hot-button issue.

On Friday, Saleh was lukewarm connected Wilson, the No. 2 prime successful 2021. Asked whether helium was inactive assured that Wilson is the franchise's backmost of the future, Saleh said, "We're ne'er going to discontinue connected anybody. I've got assurance successful each our guys."

It was a noticeably antithetic stance from Saleh, who usually has had effusive praise for Wilson.

White volition beryllium reevaluated aboriginal adjacent week with much rib scans. If helium is cleared for contact, helium volition astir surely commencement against the Seahawks. Saleh hasn't named a imperishable starter since benching Wilson connected Nov. 23, saying it's a week-to-week evaluation.

On Friday, Saleh each but admitted that Wilson is struggling from a intelligence standpoint.

"That's a bully question," Saleh said connected whether Wilson has mislaid his confidence. "I'm with you. It's a pugnacious happening to effort to overcome, but -- but -- it doesn't instrumentality overmuch to flip confidence. He conscionable needs to get connected a small run."

Against the Jaguars, Wilson was 9-for-18 for 92 yards, starring the discourtesy to lone 3 points successful 7 possessions -- and the tract extremity was a gimme due to the fact that New York got the shot connected the Jacksonville 16 aft a turnover.

Trying to spark a dormant rushing attack, Saleh inserted the mobile Streveler, who had been elevated from the signifier squad earlier the game. Streveler promptly led a 76-yard thrust that yet fizzled, but helium did capable to enactment successful the game. He coiled up rushing for a team-high 54 yards and completing 10 of 15 passes for 90 yards.

Flacco, who was besides active, ne'er saw action.

Wilson, who ranks 28th retired of 33 qualified passers successful Total QBR (37.5) this season, admitted it's hard to ticker different backmost spark the offense.

"It is, and that's erstwhile I've got to look myself successful the mirror," helium said. "I've got to spell backmost and I've got to spell backmost and ticker this tape. You've got to beryllium hard. You've got to beryllium hard connected yourself. You conscionable say, 'Why are we not moving the ball?' And that starts with me. Whatever it is, I've got to fig it out."

Statistically, the discourtesy has tally much efficiently with White, Flacco and adjacent Streveler than with Wilson. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur declined to remark connected why.

"I'm not going to reply that one," LaFleur said Friday. "I'm not trying to comparison Zach to each the different guys. I person to fig it retired and fig retired a mode to get him successful a rhythm, and I haven't done that."