The Wide World of Dirt

I didn’t write the original article in this ongoing saga with the expectation that I’d have to continue adding to it this season.

Unfortunately, Joe Flacco is washed like a receipt left in your pocket after a spin cycle, and Matt Milano sent Mike White’s rib to Niagara Falls.

Not having many viable choices left, Robert Saleh (may or may not have) made a decision: Zach Wilson will start against the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football.

Suddenly, Jets-Jags became one of the most intriguing matchups of the week.

2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence going toe-to-toe with the guy taken right after him marked only the eighth time in the Common Draft era that two QBs were taken with the top-2 picks in the draft, so this was a great way to see each team’s return on investment.

After a tumultuous rookie season under embattled head coach Urban Meyer, Lawrence’s performance began to pick up in the second half of his sophomore effort under former Eagles HC Doug Pederson.

Pederson spent 14 years as a backup in the NFL, even helping secure Don Shula’s record-breaking 325th win as a head coach.

It’s almost like surrounding young quarterbacks with people that have been there before!

After quickly and successfully developing Carson Wentz in Philly, the Eagles saw their QB and chances at developing a dynasty get foiled by devastating injuries, leading to his dismissal after 2020.

Many talking heads questioned the hiring, pointing to the deterioration of Wentz as an elite talent as well as the collapse of his once-vaunted offense.

Though the Jags got out to a rocky 2-6 start that included losses to the putrid Texans and Broncos, Lawrence’s improved play has taken Jacksonville to just a game back of the division lead heading into Thursday Night.

The staunch Jets defense failed to fully corral the former Clemson wunderkind, completing 20 of 31 passes for 229 yards and adding another 51 yards on the ground.

The Trevor Lawrence we saw last night was the guy I thought was the most well-rounded QB prospect since Andrew Luck, and his efficient performance finally showed that he can make a massive difference, even if he doesn’t find the end zone himself.

Conversely, Zach Wilson proceeded to prove me right.

Mike White assumed the starting role for the next three games after Wilson’s pathetic performance against the Patriots and even more garish postgame presser.

The fifth-rounder out of Western Kentucky showed poise and grit in those three games, dispatching the Bears before losing two tight games against the Vikings and Bills.

While White returned to the Bills game after leaving twice due to injury, the initial optimism that he’d return for week 14 evaporated late in the week as doctors refused to clear him.

The decision thrust Wilson into the lineup and into the spotlight for the Jets’ Sunday afternoon affair with the surging Lions where he made some great throws and gave New York a chance to win on the final drive.

Receiving the ball with a shade under two minutes to go, Wilson took the offense down the field, but poor time management from Wilson and his coaches setup kicker Greg Zuerlein for a 58-yard field goal that he’d go on to miss.

The former BYU field general gave some of the New York faithful optimism for Thursday night that were squashed like a flaming bag of dogshit on someone’s front porch.

The Jets defense held up their end of the bargain, slowing Jacksonville’s dynamic attack by holding them to 13 points, but Wilson couldn’t manage to get the offense moving.

The Jets went into the locker room with just a lone field goal from Zuerlein on the scoreboard, an opportunity provided by Quinnen Williams forcing a sack fumble on the opening drive of the game.

Meanwhile, the New York offense only gained 47 total yards, and Wilson’s arm was as erratic and ineffective as it was in New England.

After watching his second-year signal caller flounder in two more series, Saleh took Wilson out and dumped him on the bench in favor of Chris Streveler, their practice squad QB.

In just three drives, Streveler nearly eclipsed Wilson’s yardage (92-90) while being more efficient, going 10/15 compared to Wilson’s 9/18 showing.

Streveler actively worked the Jets into scoring position twice, but much like his counterpart, he was unable to cash in and put points on the board.

The journeyman QB also tacked on 54 yards on the ground which kept the offense on the field for what felt like the first time all night.

In my earnest opinion, it would behoove the Jets to not play Wilson for the remainder of the season if they have any hopes of reaching the postseason.

He’s proven time and time again that he prefers to make the high-risk, high-reward throws that rarely get completed by mortals at the pro level instead of the right throws.

And even then, he struggles to complete his checkdowns.

This is a psychological issue that will be profoundly difficult for any organization to solve, but it isn’t unheard of for a QB to find their way past this hurdle.

Look at division rival Josh Allen.

The Wyoming QB exhibited his talented arm against his Mountain West opponents as well as the ability to make things happen with his legs in open field.

Allen’s first two years in the league were full of underwhelming performances and shaky mechanics combined with moments of potential.

Over the last three seasons, Allen has firmly planted himself in the discussion of the NFL’s best passers, sharpening his knowledge of his playbook and coverages while solidifying his footwork and decision-making.

I say this all to say: I’m not at all implying Zach Wilson is a lost cause.

If former Jets’ draft pick Geno Smith can wander aimlessly in the league for a decade before finding his footing, anyone can avoid being written off.

Taking that into consideration, I believe it’s time for the Jets organization to move on from Wilson because the Jets’ staff doesn’t appear capable of repairing Wilson’s issues.

They should be wholly disinterested in rehabilitating his image with the fanbase as well, the people who loudly booed Wilson after short-arming a throw that turned into an interception right before halftime.

The worst thing that could happen to Wilson in the immediate future is staying on the field and continuing to damage his stock among coaches around the league.

The worst thing that could happen for Wilson’s career outlook is getting traded to a franchise like Houston who will bring him in and expect him to be their savior, much like the Jets did.

Wilson must get a change of scenery where he will get an opportunity to develop and absorb the knowledge and savvy from a veteran QB, which I assume is why the Jets brought in Flacco in the first place.

The Jets are ready to win now, and Zach Wilson isn’t the guy to lead them back to the Super Bowl.