In a move that surprised no one, New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh named Mike White, 26, the starting quarterback for the team’s Week 8 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
White, a fifth round draft pick for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 (No. 171 overall), has been with the Jets since 2019.
White will fill in for the ailing Zach Wilson who is expected to be out between two and four weeks with a PCL injury.
An MRI confirmed a sprained PCL for Jets’ QB Zach Wilson, who now is expected to be sidelined 2-4 weeks, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2021
Coach Saleh is confident that White can do what is necessary to keep the Jets competitive.
QB Mike White will get the start Sunday against the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/p3n52SOvoM
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 27, 2021
The Jets are 1-5 with the lone win coming in an overtime thriller to the Tennessee Titans.
Dealing With The Bengals
White and the Jets have a lot to contend with the red-hot Cincinnati Bengals.
They are 5-2 and put on a clinic while dismantling the equally red-hot Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.
The Jets not only will need to have offensive answers, but the defense has to figure out how to keep Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Mixon, and the rest of the offensive superstars in check so this game does not get out of reach fast.
Other Quarterback News
The Jets raised some eyebrows earlier this week by trading with the Philadelphia Eagles to get backup quarterback Joe Flacco back in the fold.
Flacco, the 36-year-old veteran born in New Jersey, spent part of 2020 with the Jets also.
His career has never been the same since leaving Baltimore.
The Jets may be considering using him if Wilson is out very long and White does not perform well.
He has background in the Jets offense and could be immersed into it quicker than expected.
With the acquisition of Flacco, the Jets now have four quarterbacks on the roster.
#Jets HC Robert Saleh says "more than likely" Joe Flacco will be inactive on Sunday vs #Bengals. #TakeFlight #CINvsNYJ
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) October 27, 2021
They are Wilson, White, Flacco, and 35-year-old Josh Johnson who has been with 13 teams since his NFL career began in 2008.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced that Mike White will start at QB vs the Bengals on Sunday.
Veteran Josh Johnson will be the backup once elevated from the practice squad. Joe Flacco (acquired via trade yesterday) won't practice until Friday. #TakeFlight #FPC #NFL #CINvsNYJ
— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) October 27, 2021
For now, White is the man, but could that change if Wilson has a long absence?
Time will tell.
NEXT: Jets Look Years Away From Contention Yet Again