Saleh Confirms Jets' Starting Quarterback Change for Black Friday Game

Head coach says former No. 2 overall draft pick will remain on bench after latest loss

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Nov 20, 2023 4:42 PM EST

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It's Thanksgiving Week and change is in the air at One Jets Drive.

The New York Jets are making a switch on offense, keeping Zach Wilson on the bench and making backup Tim Boyle the starter for the NFL's first-ever Black Friday Game on November 24.

Jets' head coach Robert Saleh confirmed the quarterback change while addressing reporters virtually on Monday afternoon.

"Just to give him [Boyle] an opportunity, different style of quarterback," said Saleh. "Really, it's just to give him an opportunity to see if we can do something with the offense."

The Jets have lost three straight games and their scoring offense (15.0 ppg) ranks 30th out of 32 NFL teams.

Wilson was yanked from the Jets' Week 11 road loss to the Buffalo Bills after going passing 7-of-15 passing for 81 yards and one touchdown in almost three full quarters of action. The former No. 2 overall draft pick was intercepted once, setting the stage for Buffalo's first touchdown.

Boyle came onto the field with 2:17 remaining in the third quarter and the Jets facing a 29-6 deficit. The 29-year-old Boyle did not fare much better under constant duress. He went 7-of-14 passing for 33 yards and one interception.

"He was decisive and got rid of the ball. He did a good job," said Saleh following the 32-6 defeat.

Prior to Sunday's relief appearance, Boyle had contested 17 career NFL regular season games and accounted for 574 pass yards, three touchdown passes and eight interceptions over that span. He is 0-3 in three career starts.

Boyle has a prior relationship with Jets' offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from their time together as Green Bay Packers.

"I think that part of my game is just being able to get the ball out," said Boyle following his first action of the season. "My mindset is really just get the balls in our playmakers' hands and see what they can do."

Meanwhile, Wilson has thrown only two TD passes over his last five games. For the season, he has completed 59.2 percent of attempts for 1,944 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions over a 10-game sample. His 73.8 quarterback rating ranks 29th amongst 33 qualifying passers in the NFL.

"Whoever is going to play, they have to be ready to go, run the offense and try to beat Miami," said Boyle.

The Jets (4-6) host the Miami Dolphins (7-3) at 3:00 pm ET on Friday, November 24.