Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer December 22, 2023, 11:43 a.m. ET
Close
- Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and NFL for ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years and joined ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He was previously a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him on Twitter @RichCimini.
With Zach Wilson still nursing a concussion, the New York Jets will face Trevor Siemian against the Washington Commanders on Sunday – New York's third quarterback change in the last five weeks.
Siemian could get the call next week too. Due to a quick turnaround, Wilson could also miss Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns.
Coach Robert Saleh wouldn't rule out Wilson for Cleveland, “but it's a challenge that it's a Thursday game,” he said Friday. “He has to overcome some hurdles at the weekend. That’s going to be one of them that we’re going to see.”
Siemian is the fourth different starter for the Jets, which is unusual even for them. The last time they started so many quarterbacks in the same season was 1989, when they finished 4-12 with Ken O'Brien, Pat Ryan, Kyle Mackey and Tony Eason.
For Saleh, this is his sixth starter in three years, one of the reasons the Jets rank 32nd in scoring and 31st in total yards during that span. Saleh's record is 16-32.
The Jets currently have four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, which is unusual. Wilson and Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) will be inactive for the game, leaving Brett Rypien – signed on December 5 – as Siemian's replacement. Rodgers was ruled out for the season but was taken off injured reserve so he could continue training with the team.
“[I’m] “I’m very grateful,” said Siemian, who hasn’t won a start in six years. “Especially at this point in my career, any opportunity I get is great.”
The Jets (5-9), who missed the playoffs for the 13th straight year, are suffering from quarterback instability due to two injuries (Rodgers and Wilson), two bench appearances (Wilson and Tim Boyle) and one loss (Boyle). .
On December 6, Saleh announced that Wilson – who had been inactive for the last two games – would start the remainder of the season. “God willing,” Saleh said. Wilson lasted less than six quarters and left before halftime in last Sunday's 30-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Wilson, the No. 2 pick in 2021, took several serious hits and suffered from blurred vision and depth perception issues, his mother, Lisa Wilson, announced on social media the next day. She said he had symptoms throughout the game, but he continued to play. The Jets said he came out when he was flagged in the media box by the NFL's independent certified athletic trainer (spotter).
The 31-year-old Siemian has 30 career starts (most of them with the Denver Broncos), but he hasn't won one since 2017, his final season as a full-time starter. He is on a six-game losing streak; His last start was for the Chicago Bears – a 31-10 loss last season to the Jets.
He was signed to the Jets' practice squad on September 26, two weeks after Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in the opener. At the time, Siemian was considered an emergency option, but he continued to work his way up as the quarterback problems mounted.
“It’s not too big for him,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. “He prepares really well. I think for the situation and the lack of practice, he ran the huddle pretty well.”
Siemian was substituted twice, but with little success. He completed just 19 of 39 passes for 176 yards, with two interceptions and five sacks. He has yet to lead the offense to points in nine drives.
Siemian actually started a game for the Jets. It happened in 2019 when he replaced Sam Darnold (mononucleosis) in Week 2. He lasted less than half an hour; He broke his ankle on a hit by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.