AFC East News: New York Jets have benched QB Zach Wilson

In a move that the New York Jets should have made weeks ago, the team has likely officially closed the book on the Zach Wilson era, sending him to the bench. It's weird that it took them as long as it did. I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I don't personally believe that Jets' head coach Robert Saleh nor general manager Joe Douglas wanted to keep Wilson in the lineup.

Anyway, the Jets went 3-6 in Wilson's nine starts this year. In those starts, Wilson has thrown for 1,944 yards, six touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a ripe passer rating of 73.8, which is actually the highest of his career. The Jets came into the season with Aaron Rodgers under center, as they made a massive move to acquire the four-time MVP.

Well, Rodgers tore his Achilles just a handful of plays into the season, which forced Zach Wilson back into the lineup. And what we've seen from Wilson and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been nothing short of abysmal. The offense is averaging just 15 points per game, which is barely two TDs per contest.

And now, Tim Boyle is headed into the starting lineup. Tim Boyle is 29 years old who has thrown for 607 yards, three touchdowns and nine interceptions over his career. I didn't know it was possible to have a QB on the roster worse than Zach Wilson, but the Jets have that down. Boyle was clearly a signing that Aaron Rodgers requested, in my opinion.

Boyle and Rodgers were in Green Bay together from 2019-2020, and Boyle also has experience working with Nathaniel Hackett. Oddly enough, the next time the New York Jets take the field is on Black Friday against the Miami Dolphins. I don't think this game is at all going to be close, and I think the Jets have all but accepted that their 2023 season is over.

Aaron Rodgers shouldn't worry about prematurely returning from his Achilles injury. He should truly not risk the last bit of his career and should gear towards getting ready for 2024.