Jets starting Boyle at QB vs. Dolphins, Wilson demoted to 3rd string
The New York Jets will start veteran quarterback Tim Boyle over Zach Wilson during Friday's game against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Robert Saleh announced Monday.
"Just to give (Boyle) the opportunity," Saleh said of his decision. "Different style of quarterback, so it really is to just give him the opportunity and see if he can do something with the offense."
Saleh added that Trevor Siemian - who's currently on New York's practice squad - will serve as Boyle's backup in Week 12. Wilson will be active as the team's No. 3 option at quarterback.
Wilson has been the starter since Aaron Rodgers sustained an Achilles injury in Week 1, but he's coming off another disappointing performance in Sunday's 32-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The 24-year-old completed seven of 15 pass attempts for 81 yards and one touchdown against one interception. He was benched for Boyle with New York down big in the third quarter.
This isn't the first time Wilson has been benched in his young NFL career. The BYU product has failed to live up to the hype since entering the league as the No. 2 overall pick. Mike White and Joe Flacco started multiple games for New York in the last two seasons.
Wilson has a career completion rate of 59.19% with 5,966 yards, 21 touchdown passes, and 25 picks across 32 appearances (31 starts). The Jets are 11-20 with him under center.
Saleh was noncommittal about Wilson's future in New York on Monday.
"We'll deal with it in the offseason," he said, according to SNY. "Right now, it's really about Miami."
Boyle had seven completions, 33 yards, and an interception in his brief appearance versus the Bills. The 29-year-old hasn't started a game since Week 17 of the 2021 season for the Detroit Lions. He joined New York this year.
The 4-6 Jets, owners of a top-10 defensive unit, have been looking for consistency at quarterback and traded for Rodgers during the offseason. The four-time NFL MVP could return this season if the team is still in playoff contention by mid-December.
New York hasn't made the playoffs since the 2010 season, the longest drought in the NFL.