Robert Saleh understandably needed no a part of the query on Wednesday.
The Jets coach has simply gotten previous the entire “taking receipts” quote from final week and was not trying to create any extra headlines … so when requested if there's any state of affairs the place Joe Flacco can hold the beginning quarterback job as soon as Zach Wilson is wholesome, Saleh gave a solution that seemed like he practiced it in entrance of a mirror earlier than his press convention.
“Zach’s the way forward for the group. Everyone knows that,” Saleh mentioned. “As quickly because the docs clear him, we’ll get him on the sphere.”
Actually? Has Wilson earned the best to have the beginning job handed again to him?
Saleh absolutely doesn't wish to deal in hypotheticals, however we do. Let’s play this out somewhat bit. Flacco goes out Sunday and has one other 300-yard, four-touchdown efficiency and the Jets beat the Bengals to enhance to 2-1. You’re telling me Monday morning, Saleh is taking the keys out of Flacco’s arms?
I wouldn’t. Saleh ought to experience the recent hand and that's Flacco.
Now, the state of affairs I laid out is unlikely. The Jets are an underdog in opposition to a determined 0-2 Bengals workforce on Sunday. However what if? What if Flacco does it once more? What if the Jets pull off one other shocker?
Saleh ought to then come out Monday and say Wilson’s surgically repaired knee wants one other week of relaxation and Flacco will begin Week 4 in opposition to the Steelers. Hold going till Flacco’s 37-year-old wheels fall off.
Nobody is saying Flacco regarded like Aaron Rodgers final week. However there was some magic on the finish of the sport. Positive, the Browns handed the Jets an opportunity they need to have by no means had, however Flacco made probably the most of that chance. He hit a wide-open Corey Davis on a 66-yard landing cross after which executed a masterful ultimate landing drive after the onside kick.
Everybody calls Flacco “Joe Cool” and it was on show on that ultimate drive. He regarded like he was in complete management and was a chilled presence for a younger workforce.
“I believe Joe’s a extremely good quarterback. He’s seen every little thing,” Saleh mentioned. “[By] the fourth quarter, the sport plan has already been revealed. They understand how they’re taking part in every little thing. Once we received that onside kick, he knew precisely the place he wanted to go along with the ball as a result of he already knew what was going to occur. The nice ones can see that so in these fourth quarters when you might have quarterback who’s armed with all of the information he wants, that’s onerous.”
May Wilson have led the Jets again? Perhaps. However he doesn't have the information that Saleh spoke about. Flacco has been there and completed that. Wilson has one fourth-quarter comeback on his résumé. Sunday was Flacco’s nineteenth. Sunday was the thirty seventh time Flacco has thrown for 300 yards in an NFL sport. Wilson has but to hit that mark.
The postgame response from Flacco’s teammates present how a lot they love the person many watched star for the Ravens once they have been kids. Within the video the Jets tweeted out Flacco was in the midst of the room, surrounded by leaping Jets and you may see how well-liked he's within the locker room.
Nevertheless it was not simply the magic of Sunday’s comeback. Flacco has performed properly when given time by the offensive line and the receivers don’t drop passes. PFF has him rated because the third-best quarterback within the NFL, trailing simply Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. They've credited him with zero turnover-worthy performs. He's third within the NFL with 616 passing yards.
Will it final for a season, a month, two extra weeks? Who is aware of? However Saleh owes it to the Jets gamers, coaches, entrance workplace, house owners and fan to search out out.
So, is there any likelihood Flacco can keep within the job?
“I don’t wish to be a damaged document,” Saleh mentioned. “I’ll be completely happy to reply that query one million occasions over when Zach is wholesome and able to go. Zach is the way forward for the workforce.”
Nobody goes to argue that the 23-year-old just isn't the long run. However that doesn't imply the 37-year-old, if he continues to play properly, can’t be the current.
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