Brian Baldinger, a respected NFL Network personality, believes quarterback Zach Wilson may be playing for much more than just his future with the New York Jets when he starts this Sunday’s home game against the 7-5 Houston Texans.
“I feel like this is do-or-die for Zach, not just for the Jets, but for his entire career,” Baldinger said of Wilson on the latest episode of the “In the Huddle” podcast, which Audacy shared. “If they’re ever going to get a good performance out of Zach Wilson, this is the week to do it.” They only returned to him because they realized they didn’t have anything else. This is the end.”
Wilson has been benched three times since November 2022, according to ESPN stats, and he has a league-worst 30.3 adjusted QBR. According to reports, he is “reluctant” to start another game for the Jets this season.
Tiki Barber of the New York Giants and former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason were among many notable individuals who criticized Wilson following Monday’s developments, and Esiason stated on Tuesday that people throughout the league “do not like” the type of attitude allegedly embraced by Wilson prior to being named the starter for the Houston game.
Wilson and head coach Robert Saleh have since sought to silence speculation that the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft would prefer to remain a spectator through Week 18, but it appears that at least some of Monday’s story is accurate. In terms of Saleh going back to Wilson, Baldinger noted that Trevor Siemian should just go “to the bus stop” after failing to impress in Sunday’s 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
According to the Jets’ website, Saleh stated on Wednesday that Wilson should be the team’s starting quarterback for the rest of the season, barring an injury. If Baldinger is correct, Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium could be Wilson’s final appearance in a Gang Green jersey as an active participant.
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