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New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

The New York Jets are ready to implode, but have the code to defuse this mess

By Matthew Neschis | Last updated 9/27/23

The New York Jets are on the verge of imploding, and the nucleus of the blast is quarterback Zach Wilson.

As Wilson continues to struggle in relief of Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1, those around the organization are picking sides in support or opposition of the 24-year-old signal-caller.

On Sunday, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Michael Carter were seen on the sideline expressing their frustrations at New York's offensive ineptitude during the Jets' 15-10 loss to the New England Patriots. Two days later, Rodgers called out Joe Namath for his harsh critique of Wilson on "The Pat McAfee Show," informing the Super Bowl winning quarterback, "You're not helping the cause."

"This is what teams have to go through and there's adversity points in every season..

I think we need to hold our poise a little bit better and it's really tough not being there with those guys" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/UYPFdmXKpz
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 26, 2023

Despite Wilson's recurrent struggles — he has yet to throw for over 200 yards in a game this season and boasts a 26.7 QBR — Jets HC Robert Saleh has continued to stand behind his starter, insisting he will remain the "unquestioned quarterback" so long as he "continues to show improvement." Now, it appears the coach's undying loyalty is rubbing some within the organization the wrong way.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini shared rumblings of divisions in the Jets locker room on his “Flight Deck” podcast, saying that the defense in particular is unhappy with Saleh's coddling of Wilson.

"He’s coming off as a Zach apologist, and that doesn’t play well in the locker room," Cimini said of Saleh. "This defense knows that if any other player were performing his job the way that Wilson is performing his, that player would be benched.

"Trust me, there’s tension in that locker room," he continued. "On Tuesday morning, an off day for players, I was told that this is a hot topic among players in the locker room. I get the sense from what I’ve seen on the sideline and what I’m hearing that this team could be ready to implode."

ESPN’s Rich Cimini does not pain a pretty picture about the state of the #Jets. Says Saleh is coming off as a “Zach apologist” and it doesn’t “sit well in the locker
room.”

Adds the defense is “not happy” and that there is “tension in the locker room” over Wilson still playing. pic.twitter.com/0nXFedN4oz
— uSTADIUM App (@uSTADIUM) September 27, 2023

As the Jets inch closer to an imminent implosion that would rival J. Robert Oppenheimer's atomic bomb, the "defuse code" is clear as day: bench Wilson.

Saleh and co. found themselves in a similar situation last year after an abysmal 10-3 loss to the Patriots — a defeat that Wilson refused to take blame for in a postgame news conference. Three days later, New York benched him. Two weeks after that, Jets players paraded around the locker room wearing shirts dedicated to backup quarterback Mike White.

Over the last two seasons, the Jets and their fanbase have rallied around a multitude of quarterbacks, including Joe Flacco, White, Rodgers and even journeyman Chris Streveler. Yet each time Wilson has taken the field as a starter, the support system around him has fallen apart.

Saleh can choose to fall on his sword and ride with Wilson, who he selected No. 2 overall in the 2021 NFL draft. Or he can salvage this season and perhaps his locker room by handing the keys to the Jet to someone else.

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