Jets’ HC Robert Saleh breaks silence on bringing a new QB despite Zach Wilson’s availability amid Aaron Rodgers’ injury saga

Zach Wilson was drafted second overall by the Jets in 2021.

Jets’ HC Robert Saleh breaks silence on bringing a new QB despite Zach Wilson’s availability amid Aaron Rodgers’ injury saga

Robert Saleh (L) and Zach Wilson (R) (via Imago)

The New York Jets are back to where they were at the end of last season. After spending most of the 2023 offseason accommodating their new QB Aaron Rodgers, they are back to square one with Zach Wilson starting from here on. Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear on the Jets’ first offensive drive on Monday against the Buffalo Bills. Wilson took over and led his team to a surprise overtime victory.

Rodgers is out for the season and Wilson will be the starting QB for this year. The Jets’ third QB is Tim Boyle. Wilson did not have a great season last year and was expected to learn from a veteran like Rodgers as his backup. Head coach of the Jets, Robert Saleh was asked about bringing in a new QB, despite Wilson winning the game on Monday.

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“We’re still working through it all,” Saleh said. “We’re not pressed right now cause there are 2 guys on our roster for GameDay, so just trying to figure out what’s best, not only from a skill standpoint, but from a locker room standpoint, so there’s a lot of discussions going on in that regard. With Zach Wilson & Tim Boyle, those are our guys. They’ve been here from OTAs.”

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He further continued by saying, “There’s a lot of meetings, a lot of practices, a lot of nuance, a lot of understanding of why things are the way they are that go into it, so it’s gonna take time, whoever comes into this building, to figure out what we’ve done over the last 6-7 months, & to create their identity within the system, so right now all of our attention are on Zach & Tim to get them ready to play football.”

Rodgers signed with the Jets this offseason. There was a lot of hype around the team since the arrival of Rodgers, with a lot of analysts picking them to go all the way to the Super Bowl. With Rodgers injured, the expectations for the Jets have changed. There is still optimism about them this season, but without Rodgers, it will be very difficult for the Jets to make a deep playoff run.

Related:Pat McAfee reveals Aaron Rodgers is DEVASTATED after his Achilles injury claiming this was the ‘best shape’ he has even been before any season

Robert Saleh believes in an Aaron Rodgers comeback

Aaron Rodgers promises to return better than ever
Aaron Rodgers promises to return better than ever (via Imago)

Aaron Rodgers’ injury on Monday was a major blow to the New York Jets’ chances to get to the postseason. He tore his Achilles on the Jets’ first drive of the game. Backup QB Zach Wilson came in to replace Rodgers and did a decent job. The Jets pulled off an amazing win over the Buffalo Bills but it was a bittersweet night with Rodgers’ injury.

There are speculations about Rodgers not returning to football and retiring after suffering a devastating injury. However, Head coach Robert Saleh believes otherwise. “I haven’t gone down that road with him. I mean, I’d be shocked if this is the way he’s gonna go out,” Saleh said in a press conference on Wednesday. “

He further talked about Rodgers being with the team throughout his rehab. “I think it’s important for him. Mental health and healing, I think that’s very important. But his presence, his words… Like I said, he’s as much a football coach as he is a player, and just having his presence, his thoughts, his words, and his leadership, I think anyone would want that.”

The Jets won their first game against the Bills in overtime. They were expected to be a Super Bowl contender with Rodgers. With Rodgers’ injury, the Jets will have to reincorporate Wilson as a starter. He was the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but had an underwhelming start to his Jets career.

HC Robert Saleh has full faith in his prodigy, Zach Wilson. After spending an offseason with one of the greatest QBs of all time, it’s time for Wilson to show what he has learned from the veteran QB. He and the Jets will face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It will be a tough test for Wilson and the Jets’ offense against a dominant Dallas defense. It will interesting to see how the Jets season unfolds with their ‘backup’ QB.

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