18 September 2023 , 15:30
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New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh leapt to the defence of quarterback Zach Wilson after the loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Jets were beaten 30-10 in their Week Two contest of the 2023 NFL regular season on Sunday night. Wilson began the game as the starting quarterback for the first time this season following the injury to Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers sustained an Achilles tendon injury in the Week One opener against the Buffalo Bills and was only on the field for just four players in his debut for the franchise. Now the 39-year-old faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines in recovery, although Rodgers himself has still targeted an unlikely return in the post-season should the Jets have a successful year.
The defeat to the Cowboys saw the Jets go scoreless in three out of the four quarters, with all 10 points coming in the second quarter. Now the Jets will be 1-1 going into the Week Three contest against the New England Patriots this Sunday.
Wilson struggled against the Cowboys, despite completing one touchdown pass. The third-year quarterback completed 12 of 27 passes for 170 yards with three interceptions.
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Saleh was asked about Wilson’s performance in his first game returning as a starter following the injury to Rodgers. The Jets head coach defended his quarterback, with Saleh explaining why he was impressed with certain aspects of Wilson’s performance in Dallas and giving another clear indication he remains their quarterback moving forwards.
"I thought he did a nice job," Saleh told reporters in his post-game press conference, via . "Obviously, late in the game, he had to force the ball to make something happen and, obviously, it didn't go our way.
“There was a miscommunication on one of his interceptions with him and the back. They have a hell of a front.
"He did a really nice job in the pocket, extending plays, scrambling. He had a couple of nice off-schedule plays. It just wasn't good enough."
It’s not just Saleh who has faith that Wilson can be a successful quarterback for the Jets. Tight end Tyler Conklin spoke after the loss in Dallas about why he and the whole roster have full belief in Wilson, including what has changed since the third-year quarterback was last listed as the starting QB.
“He’s a completely different player, in my opinion,” Conklin told the . “Going through his reads, sitting in the pocket. I mean, they [Cowboys] have a good D-line. They create a lot of pressure.
“We have complete trust and faith in him. We’re going to keep making sure he knows we got his back.”