Jets' Robert Saleh Disputes Zach Wilson 'Reluctant' Rumors: 'He Wouldn't Be Here'

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh put an end to the rumor that Zach Wilson might be unwilling to step in as the team's starting quarterback again.

"Let's be clear, if he were reluctant to play, he wouldn't be here," Salah told reporters on Monday, per NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.

Wilson was originally believed to be "reluctant" to take over the starting job again after taking a backseat to Tim Boyle in the Jets' past two games (via Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic).

"The young man wants the ball," Saleh later added, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "He wants to start."

Once Aaron Rodgers went down on the Jets' first drive of the season, Wilson filled in as the team's starting signal-caller. While his production wasn't spectacular, New York got off to a 4-3 start through seven contests. However, the team eventually lost three straight games before Wilson was benched.

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft wasn't able to find any consistency this season, throwing six touchdowns and seven interceptions despite averaging a career-high 194.4 passing yards per game. It's worth noting that Wilson was playing behind a subpar offensive line, as his 38 sacks taken ranks third among all quarterbacks this season despite remaining on the sidelines during the past two weeks.

When asked by reporters if he was scapegoated for the Jets' offensive issues as a whole after getting benched, he denied it.

"We're not scoring touchdowns," Wilson explained, per SNY. "Like, regardless of what I'm doing, my job as a quarterback is to help us score points."

The Jets haven't fared much better with Boyle under center, though. The losing streak has extended to five games, while the veteran threw for just 327 yards in his two starts as he tossed one touchdown against three interceptions.

New York will face off against the Houston Texas in Week 14, although the team's first-string quarterback is currently unknown. Saleh told the media that he would determine the starter by Wednesday, via Florio.