NY Jets leave the door open for a Zach Wilson return in Week 15

When the NY Jets benched quarterback Zach Wilson in favor of Mike White a few weeks back, they did so with the expectation that they would eventually reinsert Wilson back into the starting lineup at some point this season.

However, that plan has gotten a bit more complicated with White playing well in Wilson's absence. Wilson has been a healthy scratch in each game following his benching in Week 12, but head coach Robert Saleh left the door open for that to change when speaking to reporters on Monday.

Saleh was noncommittal when asked if Wilson would be White's backup instead of Joe Flacco in Week 15. And with White nursing a ribs injury, that QB2 job is as important as it's been all season.

The fact that Saleh refused to commit to Flacco as his backup heavily suggests that the Jets are very much considering elevating Wilson this week. It would mark the first time that Wilson was active on game day since his disastrous Week 11 performance against the New England Patriots.

Zach Wilson may be active for the NY Jets in Week 15

Flacco was forced into action this past Sunday once White left the game after taking a hard hit. The longtime veteran QB proceeded to complete just 1-of-3 passes for one yard, missing two open receivers, before coughing up the ball on a strip sack.

Flacco may have been on the field for just three plays, but he played as large of a role in the Jets' 20-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills as any player. Perhaps that's part of the reason the Jets are considering making Wilson active again.

Saleh did indicate that White would be the starter if he was healthy, something that obviously shouldn't be a discussion at this point given how much better the former fifth-round pick has played than his predecessor.

Still, the Jets have stated that they want to see Wilson on the field again when they believe he's ready. The fact that they're considering elevating his game-day status suggests they believe the time away has helped him.

Of course, this is Mike White's team until further notice. So long as he stays healthy and continues to play well, Wilson won't be getting his starting job back.

The backup job, however, is very much to be determined.