In five games with Zach Wilson as his starting quarterback, New York Jets rising wide receiver Elijah Moore had only six catches for 81 yards. He was used so sporadically, the 2021 second-round pick demanded a trade with two-plus years remaining on his rookie contract.
The Jets didn’t act on that request. What head coach Robert Saleh did instead was bench Wilson after he failed to find the end zone in Week 11’s 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots. With former third-stringer Mike White running the offense, Moore was only targeted twice, but twice was enough to nearly double his downfield production under Wilson. He finished his day with two catches for 64 yards and his first touchdown of the season.
More importantly, White led an offense that put up 31 points against the Chicago Bears in three quarters before easing off the gas in the fourth. It was the first time the Jets had scored at least 30 points since October 9. New York is now 6-0 when scoring at least 20 points, showcasing what the brutality of a rebuilt defense can do when backed with even modest offense.
White was statistically great against an overmatched opponent, completing 22 of 28 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover on a rainy day in northern New Jersey. It’s not just that success that will likely keep Wilson on the bench at least one more week. It’s that White was the rising tide that lifted all the playmakers New York had hoped its second-year QB could push to greatness.
Let’s take a closer look.