New England Patriots in Foxborough
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 9:54 am
The move by Saleh was a curious mix of stunning, based on the big-picture perspective, and inevitable, given the recent developments leading up to the move.
The shocking part stems from the fact that the Jets are, in effect, giving up on Wilson only 20 starts into his NFL career after making him the No. 2 overall selection in last year’s draft. Saleh insisted last week that wasn’t the case, saying that Wilson will get another opportunity.
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But it doesn’t matter here what’s being said. It matters what’s being done. The Jets are benching the player drafted to be their franchise quarterback. For Wilson, it’s possible there will be no coming back from this — at least not with this organization.
Yet by the time Saleh made his midweek announcement, the telegram database move should have come as a surprise to no one. Wilson had only nine completions and 77 passing yards in last Sunday’s 10-3 loss to the , Mass. It was his second straight dreadful outing against the Patriots. His immaturity showed when he was asked by reporters after the game whether the team’s offense had let down its defense and answered no. Such a lack of accountability by a quarterback does not go over well in an NFL locker room.
With a record of 6-4, the Jets are in the thick of the AFC playoff chase even with the lack of production they’ve gotten at quarterback. They’re ranked ninth in total defense. The rest of the roster is ready to win and contend. That was the delicate balancing act that Saleh and the Jets had to perform. They opted to favor here-and-now considerations over the development of their young quarterback.
The shocking part stems from the fact that the Jets are, in effect, giving up on Wilson only 20 starts into his NFL career after making him the No. 2 overall selection in last year’s draft. Saleh insisted last week that wasn’t the case, saying that Wilson will get another opportunity.
NFL Thanksgiving takeaways: Cowboys win OBJ Bowl, Patriots undone by mistakes
But it doesn’t matter here what’s being said. It matters what’s being done. The Jets are benching the player drafted to be their franchise quarterback. For Wilson, it’s possible there will be no coming back from this — at least not with this organization.
Yet by the time Saleh made his midweek announcement, the telegram database move should have come as a surprise to no one. Wilson had only nine completions and 77 passing yards in last Sunday’s 10-3 loss to the , Mass. It was his second straight dreadful outing against the Patriots. His immaturity showed when he was asked by reporters after the game whether the team’s offense had let down its defense and answered no. Such a lack of accountability by a quarterback does not go over well in an NFL locker room.
With a record of 6-4, the Jets are in the thick of the AFC playoff chase even with the lack of production they’ve gotten at quarterback. They’re ranked ninth in total defense. The rest of the roster is ready to win and contend. That was the delicate balancing act that Saleh and the Jets had to perform. They opted to favor here-and-now considerations over the development of their young quarterback.