Robert Saleh Says Zach Wilson's Jets Tenure Isn't a 'Failure' Despite Benching

The New York Jets selected Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft with the hopes he would be the franchise quarterback, but now he is the third-stringer behind Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian.

Still, it's not a failure in the head coach's eyes.

"I wouldn't look at it as a failure," Robert Saleh told reporters Monday.

He also said, "I still believe he's going to have a good career" when talking about Wilson, who ESPN's Adam Schefter noted will be the third-stringer for Friday's game against the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins.

To be fair to Wilson, this was supposed to be a learning year for him behind an all-time great in Aaron Rodgers.

Yet he was thrown into action when Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. It seemed like things might work out when the Jets won three in a row against the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants thanks largely to their strong defense, especially since there was speculation about a potential Rodgers comeback.

As long as Wilson could keep the team afloat in the playoff race, there remained a possibility that the future Hall of Famer could swoop in come December and rescue the team.

Yet Wilson has not done that.

New York lost its third straight game on Sunday, this time in the rematch against the Bills. It managed just six total points, which was the same amount it scored in a Week 9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and not far behind the 12 it scored in a Week 10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Wilson threw for a grand total of 81 yards against Buffalo in the latest outing and now has six touchdown passes to seven interceptions in 10 games.

Poor quarterback play held the Jets back last year and has done the same this year even though there are playmakers such as Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall in the offense. Throw in a defense that has the talent to be among the league's best, and even average production from the quarterback would have been enough to remain a factor in the AFC.

Now it is up to Boyle to turn things around for the 4-6 Jets, which isn't exactly a recipe for consistent victories considering he has three touchdown passes and nine interceptions with an 0-3 record as a starter throughout his career.

But a change had to be made, and the future doesn't look particularly bright for Wilson despite Saleh's latest comments.