Report: Jets benching Zach Wilson, starting Tim Boyle vs Dolphins
Following the New York Jets’ third consecutive loss, head coach Robert Saleh is reportedly planning to bench quarterback Zach Wilson in favor of backup QB Tim Boyle. Wilson left the team’s loss to the Bills early on Sunday, leaving the backup to close out the game.
“The #Jets are making a QB change: Tim Boyle is expected to start Friday’s game against the #Dolphins, per sources,” NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared Monday. “With New York on a three-game skid amidst a rash of OL injuries, Zach Wilson heads to the bench and Boyle gets his shot.”
The Jets play in the very first Black Friday game this week on Amazon Prime video. They host the Miami Dolphins who are 2-2 in their last four games but sitting at 7-3 on the season and first in the AFC East.
In just over one quarter of play versus Buffalo, the former Packers quarterback completed seven of 14 pass attempts for 33 yards while taking one sack and throwing one interception. Before hitting the bench, Wilson had seven completions on 15 attempts for 81 yards while taking five sacks and throwing one touchdown and one interception.
Wilson’s been sacked 38 times this season in just 10 games. He has more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (6) but he has a career-high completion percentage at 59.2%. It’s still tied for the lowest among the league’s starting QBs, however.
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Boyle, at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, is 28 years old and in his sixth year in the league. He joined the Jets in the offseason, prior to the team’s massive deal for a certain four-time league MVP.
Boyle’s signing with New York was a reunion for the Packers backup and former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. It also brought him back together with QB Aaron Rodgers, prior to the star’s Achilles tear.
A graduate of Eastern Kentucky, Boyle had 66 completions in 17 career NFL games prior to this season. He saw action in 11 games in Green Bay but his most productive season was in 2021. He had 61 completions on 94 pass attempts for 526 yards. Unfortunately, he posted just three touchdowns to six interceptions.
Boyle originally signed with Green Bay in 2018 for $486,000. He stayed for two more seasons until he was able to ink his first $1 million+ deal with the Detroit Lions.
Going into the 2022 season, the Lions released him and then picked him back up for the practice roster in September. He eventually signed to the Chicago Bears active roster in November. He is now making $1.15 million on his one-year deal with New York.