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Zach Wilson Benched, Mike White to Start for Jets

The New York Jets have officially benched quarterback Zach Wilson for this week’s game against the Chicago Bears. Mike White will get the start on Sunday. Wilson completed only nine…

Mike White

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 26: Mike White #5 of the New York Jets walks onto the field before game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on December 26, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

The New York Jets have officially benched quarterback Zach Wilson for this week's game against the Chicago Bears. Mike White will get the start on Sunday.

Wilson completed only nine of 22 passes for 77 yards in Sunday's 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots. Following the game, Wilson gave a cryptic one-word answer when as if he felt he let the defense down by not getting the team into the end zone or even field goal range, Wilson said "no."

That attitude coupled with wide negative reaction from teammates such as Garret Wilson, John Frankin-Meyers and Sauce Gardner may have been enough for Head Coach Robert Saleh and his staff to make a move.Although Saleh sidestepped that theory in Wednesday's press conference.

On Wednesday before Saleh spoke to the media, word broke that Wilson would be benched.

"We are going to roll with Mike White. We know he is fully capable in this league, and we want to give him an opportunity," Saleh said.

"Zach's career here is not over. The intent is to make sure Zach gets back on the field here this year. When that is I will make that decision day to day. There are some basic fundamental things that have gotten out of whack for him. This will allow him to reconnect with some of the things we fell in love with in the draft process."

Saleh wouldn't say how many starts White would get. Joe Flacco will be White's back-up as Wilson will be inactive this week.

Media Reaction to Zach Wilson News

More Media Reaction:

Jets fans Love The Move

Mike White or Joe Flacco?

Fans seem to want Mike White who was mighty impressive when he played in Wilson's stead last season.

Joe Flacco will back up Mike White

More thoughts on the Mike White/Zach Wilson news

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Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.