Jets coach Robert Saleh left the door open to a quarterback change ever so slightly Monday.
Joe Flacco had a rough game against the Ravens and there were chants for backup Mike White in the second half. There were more calls from fans and talk show hosts on Monday to make the move to White. Saleh gave some support to Flacco but would not say with 100 percent certainty that Flacco will start Sunday against the Browns.
“Right now everything’s always under discussion and under review, talking with [quarterbacks coach] Rob [Calabrese], talking with [offensive coordinator] Mike [LaFleur],” Saleh said. “Obviously, we’re not done with our postgame evaluation and all that stuff, and much appreciated with the passion with quarterbacks and all that stuff, but Joe’s been very, very steady throughout OTAs, training camp. Last year, threw four over 300 [yards] on Miami in a really good game. We’ve got all the utmost faith in Joe. Does that mean something can’t happen tonight? I’m not going to promise you anything, but at the same time, as of now, Joe is our starting quarterback.”
It was pointed out that it sounded like he was leaving the door open for White to start.
Joe Flacoo reacts during the Jets’ loss to the Ravens. Charles Wenzelberg
Robert Saleh didn’t entirely rule out making a quarterback change. Charles Wenzelberg“Yeah, it’s more likely going to be Joe plays, guys, but to be honest, the doors open on every position every week,” Saleh said.
As for starting quarterback Zach Wilson, he is still expected to be out until Oct. 2 in Pittsburgh, but he will up his activity level this week.
“The plan is to get him on the practice field in a routes-on-air capacity,” Saleh said. “No practice with the team, but he will practice with the receivers, individual and all that stuff.”
Mike White watches on along the sideline during the Jets’ loss to the Ravens. Charles WenzelbergRookie WR Garrett Wilson had just six snaps in the first half of Sunday’s game, a surprisingly low number. Saleh said it was a function of starting the game with three tight ends, which was part of the game plan.
“Those first couple of series, which eats up most of the first quarter, you’re trying to utilize your tight ends,” Saleh said. “Obviously, we can all play hindsight is 20/20, it didn’t work and by the time we got to the second quarter to make the adjustments, to get him on the football field and get him active, that’s when the pivot started happening, going away from what the initial first 15 [scripted plays] was. That’s basically the only reason, but we’re a [two tight end] personnel team, we’ve got good tight ends, feel like we’ve got a good group of receivers, and, like I said, we can play hindsight, but that’s the main reason.”
Wilson played more in the second half and finished the game with 41 snaps. He caught four passes for 52 yards in his debut.
