Jets bench Zach Wilson ahead of Week 12 matchup vs. Bears; Mike White to start at QB

Following the game, Wilson told reporters he didn't feel responsible for New York's second loss to New England in the last month. His response forced his teammates to answer for him in the days that followed, and by Wednesday, Saleh decided Wilson needed a sabbatical in order to preserve his long-term ambitions of becoming New York's franchise quarterback, telling reporters he didn't want to continue "throwing him out there" and seeing Wilson devolve further.

"It's deserved," Wilson said of the criticism he's received for his post-game remarks, per SNY. "The way that I handled the situation wasn't right. I've got to be a better football player and I've got to be a better leader for these guys.

New York's two losses to New England account for half of the Jets' defeats this season, and the fault isn't solely Wilson's. Saleh admitted his team needs to be better as a whole in order to maximize the opportunity facing them.

"This isn't just a Zach thing," Saleh said. "We've all got to be better. We're not going to become the Greatest Show on Turf just because we're changing out one player."

Saleh said he believed Wilson's time on the sideline would benefit the quarterback over the long haul, focusing on Wilson's work ethic while emphasizing the importance of improving his fundamentals instead of preparing for the next opponent. When asked if the switch also gave the Jets their best chance of victory, Saleh responded affirmatively.

"It's tough, man, and it's never fun," Wilson told reporters on Wednesday, per SNY. "But the first thing that kind of went through my mind is: I gotta get to work. I gotta get better. And I'm going to approach that every single day, just keep working to get better."

"You know what? I wouldn't say necessarily surprised because I haven't been doing my job," Wilson said. "Of course, I would like to not agree with the decision and everything, but it comes down to I've got to play better."

The timing of Saleh's decision, while unintentional, is fitting. New York faces a Chicago team that is enjoying a significant improvement from Justin Fields, a fellow member of the 2021 draft class whom the Bears selected nine picks after the Jets chose Wilson. Instead of setting up for a showdown of former first-rounders, the Jets are turning to White to lead them against Fields, whose status is uncertain after suffering a shoulder injury in Chicago's Week 11 loss to Atlanta.