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Zach Wilson excitedly texted Mike White throughout the latter’s historic first start in Week 8, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear the two talk about how close they are amid the Jets’ uncemented quarterback situation.
White will make his third straight start in Week 10 even though Wilson practiced this week. The rookie is not 100 percent recovered from a PCL sprain suffered in Week 7, but there’s also no guarantee he will immediately regain the starting job once he is. If White continues to play well, he could hang on to the job for a bit.
Right now, both are “week-to-week” in their respective situations, and they’re not letting New York’s depth chart impact them personally.
“I don’t think it’s been awkward for a second. He’s been so supportive,” White said Thursday. “It hasn’t changed our relationship one bit, and it won’t.”
White and Wilson have become “really good friends” during their time with the Jets, according to Wilson. The No. 2 pick echoed White’s sentiment and even said there could be some benefit to watching from the sidelines, however long that may last.
“I’d probably say I’m closer to him than anyone else on the team,” Wilson said. “We have a really good relationship, so I feel like I can take advantage of that opportunity, being able to learn from the reps that he’s going through and things that he’s seeing and doing.”
Once Wilson is back at full strength — the Jets are understandably taking a cautious approach with his knee — New York could have a tough decision to make. White has only played a few quarters of football, but he’s impressed. Wilson, meanwhile, was up and down prior to the injury, which is expected of any rookie.
Wilson is undoubtedly the team’s future under center, but the Jets wouldn’t be wrong to ride White’s hand if it remains hot against the Bills this weekend. Wilson should be healed by Week 11, presenting a possible conundrum.
Whatever happens in the coming days and weeks, expect White and Wilson to remain tight.
“We both understand it’s part of the business of football,” Wilson said. “What’s the point of butting heads when we can help each other out? We can both benefit from this situation.”
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