Robert Saleh says he doesn’t want to make a promise he can’t keep when it comes to naming Zach Wilson the Week 1 starting quarterback outright, but he did offer a telling assessment of who will line up under center against the Panthers on Sept. 12.
“Call it the inside lane,” Saleh said of Wilson and the starting job after the quarterback’s first practice Friday. “It’s his to lose.”
It’s an obvious statement for an obvious situation: The Jets drafted Wilson second overall this year to be their quarterback of the future and to start right away. Mike White and James Morgan practiced in Wilson’s absence for two days before Wilson signed his contract, but neither poses any real threat to the rookie’s ascension.
“He took all the first-team reps,” Saleh added. “It’s just a matter of him continuing to get better like we know he will and progress the way we expect him to.”
Wilson’s first training camp practice wasn’t sunshine and rainbows. He struggled at times after hitting Elijah Moore on a nice deep shot for his first passing attempt of the day. Wilson went 5-10 with an interception in 11-on-11 drills and only 1-6 during seven-on-seven, according to NorthJersey.com’s Andy Vasquez.
Saleh credited his defense with a good day against the Jets’ top quarterback. Saleh noted that it will take time for Wilson to develop and he’s still catching up on the playbook. He also shot down the excuse that Wilson may have been jetlagged from his early morning flight from California to New Jersey on Thursday to sign his contract.
“This is his first year in the league,” Saleh said. “He is a rookie. Just like every other rookie, there are going to be ebbs and flows.”
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