What's does the future hold for Mike White with the NY Jets?

October 31st is a day of haunting, scary stories, and dressing up like other people. But this day in 2021 will be forever remembered as a haunting day for Cincinnati Bengals fans as a backup quarterback for the NY Jets named Mike White dressed up as an all-time great quarterback.

Well, who is Mike White?

White was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. After sitting behind Dak Prescott in the 2018 season, he was unfortunately cut the following preseason.

This life-altering moment for White didn't last long as just a few weeks after being cut, the Jets decided to swoop into the free agency market and sign him to a reserve/future contract.

But, his career on the Jets started off with plenty of ups and downs. After being signed to a reserve/future contract in the 2019 NFL season, he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad in the summer of 2020.

From 2020 until the previous 2021 NFL season, White was waived four times, signed or reverted to the practice squad six times, and elevated to the active roster five times.

After one of the craziest years of his life, the Jets would give him slight security by signing him to a future/reserve contract before the 2021 NFL season.

But one thing the Jets' front office and fans didn't expect in the 2021 season was Mike White's talent to shine through on Halloween night.

One week prior to his promising Week 8 matchup, starting quarterback at the time, Zach Wilson, would go down with an injury in the second quarter against the New England Patriots.

White would enter into the game and instantly find the endzone on a dime to wide receiver Corey Davis for his first NFL touchdown.

He would finish the bout against the Patriots with 202 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and two interceptions which would result in a 54-13 blowout loss.

After the loss, Wilson would continue to be held out of action against the Cincinnati Bengals on Halloween night, and White would once again have a shot at NFL action, this time with his first career start.

To start the game against the Bengals, his play was downright disappointing as he threw two interceptions and suffered a minor neck injury that took him out of the game.

After being cleared by the medical staff, White entered back into action and instantly took over. He completed 37-of-45 passes and threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns in an outstanding 34-31 upset over the future Super Bowl 56 runner-ups.

This stat line ranks as the second-most passing yards in a player's first career start in NFL history. The only player with more passing yards was former MVP Cam Newton who threw for 422 yards.

After a historic performance, he would go on to start against the Indianapolis Colts and start the game going 7-for-11 for 95 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with a hand injury.

His next appearance after returning from his hand injury would be against the Buffalo Bills where he threw for 251 yards and four touchdowns. A huge rise to stardom for White, turned instantly into a massive downfall at the hands of the Bills.

After throwing for a combined total of 953 yards, five touchdowns, and eight interceptions through four games of action, he would be replaced by Zach Wilson after the No. 2 overall pick returned from injury.

So, what's next for Mike White?

The next step for Mike White and the NY Jets

White was recently signed to a one-year, $2.54 million contract on March 16th of 2022. This signing shows that the NY Jets' front office still has hope in White to be a solid backup quarterback for the team to lean on if starter Zach Wilson goes down with an injury.

The front office has seen that under the bright lights, and without injury, White CAN succeed when called upon. Signing him to a one-year contract gives the front office a chance for White to continue to improve as a backup quarterback.

One of the big opportunities to arise for him may come as the season goes along. With potential quarterback injuries or fallouts, he may get a chance to take over the reins as a starting quarterback somewhere else outside of New York.

If the opportunity for him to be traded occurred, the Jets' front office could ask for a pick in between the fourth and sixth round in return.

The realistic factor though for him stands where he is now, as a solid backup quarterback for the NY Jets who can step onto the field and help lead the young core in the Big Apple in case Zach Wilson goes down.

For now, Jets fans can only sit and wait to see if and when Mike White can have the opportunity to showcase his talents.