Mike White couldn’t assist however leap on the Cincinnati Bengals’ bandwagon throughout their shock run to Tremendous Bowl 2022.
Because the Bengals ended a 31-year drought of playoff wins with three straight in January, White’s telephone began blowing up with messages from mates mentioning that the Jets’ third-string quarterback had the sport of his life in opposition to the AFC champions, whose protection stifled former MVP Patrick Mahomes.
“You’re rooting for them, in a way, to win the Tremendous Bowl as a result of it makes the win look that significantly better — not even for me however for our staff,” White instructed The Submit. “There’s positively a component the place you might have folks texting you saying, ‘What did you see that everybody else can’t see?’ ”
It was the ultimate web page of a loopy season for White, who morphed from unknown to AFC Participant of the Week when he threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns to steer a 34-31 win in opposition to the Bengals on Halloween. He grew to become an in a single day cult sensation who energized Jets followers and impressed practice-squad quarterbacks throughout the league to maintain working for a possibility to affirm their self-confidence.
“I discovered first-person that there are some passionate followers right here and while you win they're loud, which is cool,” White mentioned after Monday’s apply. “However I attempted to not get too caught up in it as a result of issues change in a heartbeat.”
That they did. White threw 4 interceptions in his third and last begin and didn’t play in any of the ultimate eight video games.
When free company rolled round, White welcomed the restricted tender (a non-guaranteed one-year, $2.45 million contract) from the Jets as an alternative of hoping to parlay his one-hit surprise into the next spot on one other staff’s depth chart. That doesn’t imply he's content material as QB3.
“Everyone seems to be a competitor, so you'll be disillusioned,” White mentioned, “however the second you get into your head and get all mad is while you don’t play nicely, and you will see that your self as a fourth-stringer actual fast. It's a must to take it in stride.
“I do know what the Jets consider me and what I consider them. I’m glad I’m again as a result of I feel we’re constructing one thing particular and I didn’t wish to depart simply when it’s beginning to get going.”
The energy of the connection between White and the coaches crystalized once more inside the previous couple of days.
With Zach Wilson sidelined for no less than 2-4 weeks pending the outcomes of Tuesday’s surgical procedure on his torn meniscus, the Jets elevated Joe Flacco to starter and quietly bumped up White with out scouring the waiver wire. Most groups in that place could be nervous about being one snap away from turning to a whole unknown, however the Jets have the posh of depth.
“We really feel like we have now three beginning quarterbacks,” coach Robert Saleh mentioned. “Mike has gone out and confirmed that he can beat a extremely good protection. We've all the religion on the planet in Mike.”
White accomplished 10 of 20 passes for 98 yards Friday after Wilson limped off the sector in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. He'll again up Flacco on Monday in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons, but it surely not looks like an audition for 31 different groups as a lot as it's to remain sharp for the Jets.
“You are concerned to your pal at first,” White mentioned of “combined feelings” to Wilson’s damage. “After the sport, it’s like, ‘No totally different than final yr. Management what you may management.’ I’m positive stepping right into a huddle, guys know what to anticipate from me extra as a result of I’ve executed it earlier than. An important factor about taking part in quarterback is confidence, and when you might have the proof to again it up, it helps make you play that significantly better.”
White is glad (with expectations to enhance) along with his efficiency in the beginning of coaching camp, displaying decisiveness on reads and management with youthful third-teamers.
“As a backup quarterback,” White mentioned, “any time you might have a possibility to place one thing on movie, that's your job résumé.”
Or White’s résumé may simply describe how he contributed in a small technique to the Bengals’ success.
“I feel they made a number of corrections after they performed us, and acquired actually good at it, and that’s what helped them make the run,” White mentioned. “I suppose you can say I’m a really, very, very tiny piece.”
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