New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was benched for the second time in his last three starts Thursday night as the Jets lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 19-3.
Wilson played absolutely abysmal for the Jets, throwing 9-18 for 92 yards and an interception before being benched for fourth-string QB Chris Streveler, who was promoted from the practice team hours before game time.
Fans on social media, suffering from Wilson’s puttered performance, wasted no time calling the game the death of QB’s career as a sophomore in New York.
Zach Wilson was benched again by the Jets on Thursday in the third quarter
Wilson cut abysmal throughout gameplay for just 90 yards and one turnover
Due to his throwing weakness, the Jets couldn’t get the running game going either
“We just saw the end of Zach Wilson’s career in New York,” said one fan.
“I think the ZachWilson era is over…I have to produce,” said another. Another but equally frustrated fan said, “Zach Wilson is really bad at quarterback, huh.”
And Wilson admitted after the game that he understood why the fans were so annoyed.
“I just had the feeling that I didn’t have any rhythm out there,” said the 23-year-old. “I was just trying to find some confidence out there on the field and I was trying to find something to get us going, a little spark, but I didn’t get anything there, man.
“I’ve had opportunities. We’ll go back and take a look. Right now I feel like I need to put my head down and get better.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh, meanwhile, told reporters the reason for Streveler’s move was “more to get the running game going.”
Jets fans were calling for the end of Wilson’s career as a starting quarterback in New York
The calls for Wilson’s death weren’t just limited to the fans, who demanded that he be seated as a Jets offensive man and booed louder and louder at MetLife. They also came from members of the media who were watching.
“That’s not even part of it anymore. I really think they need to use Chris Streveler now,” said The Athletics’ Zack Rosenblatt.
Rosenblatt also once said before the bench press, “It’s not even part of the bit anymore. I really think they need to use Chris Streveler now.
“I’d be quite surprised if Saleh doesn’t make a change at QB when he comes out of the half,” SNY’s Connor Rogers said.
Media members watching and covering the game also claimed Wilson’s head during the game
NFL Thursday Night Football crew member Andrew Whitworth, center, said after the game that he doesn’t see the Jets playing Wilson again this year
The post-game crew from Thursday night’s football broadcast also appeared to dent Wilson’s chances of an early restart after Tony Gonzales asked the Hall of Famer if it was time to “give up” Wilson.
“Look at it, I mean how do you get back from here,” said former All-Pro Andrew Whitworth.
“A few weeks ago you pulled him, you can justify Mike White. You’re pulling it today for a guy you grew up with [the] drill squad. I don’t know how you come back from that at this moment.’
Chris Streveler came on for Wilson in the third quarter and the offensive showed new signs of life after the substitution
Strevler (left) and Mike White (R) both did better than Wilson to relieve him
As previously mentioned, Wilson was originally benched after struggling tremendously against the New England Patriots as he mustered just 77 yards throughout the game.
In addition to the atrocious performance against New England, Wilson has struggled to be productive in the seven other games he has started this season, often letting the team’s stellar defense carry the load in games.
Wilson also didn’t take the slightest bit of responsibility for the stinker of offense against the Patriots, who reportedly rubbed several of his teammates the wrong way and contributed heavily to his bench press.
Despite winning five of the eight games he started this season, Wilson has averaged just 287 yards and 21 points per game if you don’t count Thursday’s abominable performance.
Mike White, on the other hand, has only gone 1-2 in the three games he has started, but the offense has averaged a much more productive 420 yards and albeit 22 points per game.
After joining Streveler, the Jets offense seemed to come alive for the first time all night as he led the team in rushing and finished just two yards behind Wilson.
Even Jets star Darrelle Revis took to Twitter to comment on Wilson’s death, saying Zach Wilson had lost the trust of the Jet fan base.
“I’m not saying it’s impossible. It will be very difficult to regain their trust. I experienced the same boos when Brett Farve was under center.
One thing is for sure, if fans and the media have their way, Wilson will be shipped out of New York on the next available jet – much like Farve did after his temporary retirement put an end to his time in New York.
Jets legend Darelle Revis mentioned how hard it will be for fans to trust Wilson after the stinker