New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh offered an assessment of former BYU QB Zach Wilson's play during the team's Week 15 loss to the Lions.
[Kyle Ireland](https://kslsports.com/category/kyle-ireland/) is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the [Yards After College Podcast](https://kslsports.com/category/podcasts/). After returning, the Jets posted a 5-2 record with Wilson starting. The former BYU star underwent surgery in August after suffering a knee injury in New York’s preseason opener. Wilson helped the Cougars to an 11-1 record during his final season in Provo. New York’s next game is at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, December 22 at 6:15 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Prime Video. The quarterback had completions of 33 (twice), 40, and 50 yards. After the Lions took a three-point lead with less than two minutes remaining, Wilson led the Jets into field goal range, thanks in part to a spectacular conversion on a fourth and long play. He also ran the ball three times for seven yards. [December 18, 2022] After the game, Saleh was asked to give his thoughts on Wilson’s performance. It was Wilson’s first action since he was benched following a loss on November 20.
HC Robert Saleh Not Ready to Name a Starting QB for Thursday's Game vs. the Jaguars.
On the next play, Wilson floated a pass to Uzomah for the go-ahead score. Still the Jets had a chance to tie or win the game. At first it appeared that Wilson had scored from the 1-yard line on a sneak, but video review overturned the ruling on the field. He got the Jets on the scoreboard with a 40-yard TD pass to TE C.J. I have to take care of the football. You have to be able to move on in this league." Asked what seemed to change after the first half, Wilson said: "Just the ups and downs of football. As a starter this season, the Jets are 5-3 with Wilson under center. Four of those were in the second quarter when the offense came alive to score 10 points and the Jets headed to the MetLife Stadium locker room tied with the Detroit Lions on Sunday. But the Jets managed only 7 points in the second half and dropped a 20-17 contest. "I think it goes back to we had some big plays," Wilson said after the game. On that scoring drive, Wilson completed 4 straight passes, 2 outside the pocket showing good footwork and determination.
When Zach Wilson made his final start before getting benched last month, the second-year quarterback failed to take accountability, saying a poor ...
He showed that he is capable of putting points on the board in an important spot, giving the Jets a chance to win. They kept fighting, they kept going and the defense put us in a good position to get some drives going." "I thought he had a really good first half." Not only did Wilson lead New York to a go-ahead score—finding Uzomah on a one-yard touchdown with 4:41 remaining—but he also set up a game-tying field goal with one second remaining in regulation. "In the third quarter, hit some adversity, and then thought he finished strong. Jets head coach Robert Saleh refused to speak about who will start at quarterback on Thursday against the Jaguars. There was a lull at the beginning of the second half where Wilson reverted to his old tendencies, though. "In that moment of going out there and throwing a bad interception, I gave up three points and put our defense in a bad situation there," Wilson explained. After the game—a [20-17 loss](https://www.si.com/nfl/jets/news/new-york-jets-defense-falters-detroit-lions-game-winning-touchdown-jared-goff-brock-wright)—Wilson demonstrated more maturity, focusing on what he could've improved on. You've got to be able to move on in this league and I think the guys around me did an amazing job. "Gotta be better, man," Wilson told reporters. That's the goal."