NY Jets will start Zach Wilson in confusing but meaningless QB decision

Return of the Zach. NY Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke to reporters on Wednesday and insisted that Zach Wilson will return to the starting lineup ahead of the team's Week 14 game against the Houston Texans.

Saleh told reporters that Wilson will be the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, barring injury. Trevor Siemian will serve as the primary backup QB with the recently-signed Brett Rypien serving as the emergency third QB.

Not only does this put to bed any hopes of Aaron Rodgers potentially returning this season, but it confirms that Wilson should be the start moving forward. This comes after Wilson was benched for the recently released Tim Boyle three weeks ago.

Why Wilson? According to Saleh, the former No. 2 overall pick gives the Jets the best chance to win. Perhaps that is true, but that doesn't make it any less of a confusing decision.

The NY Jets might be making a mistake starting Zach Wilson at quarterback

The rationale for starting Wilson is reasonable. Tim Boyle clearly wasn't the answer. Brett Rypien just got here. And Trevor Siemian, despite his track record, struggled in relief of Boyle this past Sunday.

Still, it might've made sense go give Siemian an actual opportunity to start a full game. After all, how does someone like Boyle get two starts but Siemian, an actually proven backup-caliber quarterback, not even receive one?

There's also the elephant in the room regarding reports that emerged about Wilson this week. The Athletic is reporting that Wilson was vocal about his reluctance to play again this season and that a conversation with Aaron Rodgers didn't even initially change his mind.

If that report is accurate (which no one from the Jets has outright disputed it to this point), it's hard to imagine Wilson's reluctance will go over well with his teammates — especially those in which he confided.

Ultimately, though, none of this matters. Wilson won't be on the roster next season. Neither will Siemian or Rypien, at least in any meaningful capacity.

The Jets are just going through the motions, playing out the final stretch of what has been a disastrous 2023 season. Whether it's Wilson, Siemian, or Rypien at quarterback, the result and impact will be the same.

The Jets offense will still be an embarrassment. The Jets still won't consider making any meaningful regime changes. The Jets will still turn to Aaron Rodgers in 2024.

Starting Wilson again may be a mistake, but at the end of the day, who actually cares?