Jets quarterback Zach Wilson returned to his starting role Sunday after a tumultuous week. And he went off after halftime, completing 18 of 21 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Jets to a convincing 30-6 win over the Texans.
“The second half, I thought Zach probably played the best game of his career,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said of Wilson, who finished the game 27 of 36 for 301 yards despite being under pressure all day. “Just the off-schedule stuff, the timing and rhythm and getting the ball out to where it needed to get to. Being aggressive but smart at the same time.”
It was a great performance for Wilson after a rough week and a complicated two-plus years since the Jets picked him No. 2 overall. And nothing sums up the strange place Wilson now holds, that moments after Saleh said Wilson played the best game of his career, his coach was asked if Aaron Rodgers might be ready to return from his torn Achilles to play next week.
“He is in rehab, so I really don’t have an answer for you on that one,” Saleh said. “Like I said before, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
Saleh echoed his comments made earlier in the week where he refused to rule out Rodgers for anything or project further on his future. But it will be interesting to see with now only four games left and the Jets technically alive in the playoff race.
The problem is if Wilson keeps playing the way he played Sunday against the Texans, why risk bringing Rodgers back from injury when he’s already admitted he’s at less than 100%. And if Wilson plays poorly the Jets are likely to lose and be eliminated from playoff contention anyway.
The Jets should just rule Rodgers out for the season now with their playoff chances so low and the reality of the situation with Rodgers’ recovery. But to steal a line from Saleh: Don’t hold your breath, because Rodgers seems intent on keeping the dream alive (and in the headlines) as long as he possibly can.
Andy Vasquez may be reached at
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