Jets’ Robert Saleh on QB Mike White’s performance in win over Bears: ‘He made the easy look easy’
The suddenly 7-4 New York Jets may have found the quarterback to keep them on course for a late-season postseason drive four days after benching the No. 2 overall choice from last year’s draft.
In Sunday’s 31-10 victory over the Bears for the Jets, Mike White, the third quarterback to start for New York this year, put on a clinic. By completing 22 of 28 throws for 315 yards, three touchdowns, with a passer rating of 149.3, he made it clear that he should remain the starting quarterback.
Robert Saleh, the head coach, told reporters after the game, “He did a terrific job.” “The only person he needed to be was Mike White. The Greatest Show on Turf wasn’t something we needed to become. We only wanted him to play within himself and play effectively, which, in my opinion, he accomplished. Like I stated, he made the simple seem simple, especially in the adverse weather. He did a really outstanding job, in my opinion.”
White did, in fact, play inside of himself. The offense surrounding him performed explosively, perhaps edging a little bit closer to “Greatest Show” levels than Saleh was willing to concede. He appeared at ease in the pocket and under pressure.
White orchestrated three touchdown drives of at least 75 yards. Three of New York’s touchdowns were of 20 yards or more (54, 32 and 22). The Jets scored the game’s remaining 24 points after jumping out to a 14-10 lead in the second quarter.
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Zach Wilson’s benching was not the end of his time in New York, and the Jets were cautious to convey that over the week. However, the contrast between Wilson’s lack of success and the way the offense hummed under White was striking.
According to Next Gen Stats, White threw the ball to playmakers on average in 2.63 seconds on Sunday, which is about a half-second faster than Wilson’s 3.12-second season average. When pressure did occur, White stepped up, going 4 for 4 for a perfect score of 107 yards. In seven games this season, Wilson has completed two touchdown passes when under pressure, but in four starts in 2022, he has completed none.
