FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets are heading into their mini-bye — and likely beyond — with a major quarterback question.
Beleaguered Zach Wilson appears to have lost the confidence of coach Robert Saleh, who was noncommittal Friday on his Week 17 quarterback plans. Wilson could be benched again even if Mike White isn’t cleared to face the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 1 because of his fractured ribs.
“We’ve got time,” Saleh said, passing on an opportunity to confirm Wilson’s status. “I don’t have those answers for you yet.”
The Jets’ other options are Joe Flacco and practice-squad quarterback Chris Streveler, who sparked the offense, albeit briefly, in a relief role Thursday night during a 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wilson played so poorly that he was booed throughout the game and spent the final 18 minutes on the bench, watching Streveler, a journeyman in his season debut, energize the team and the MetLife Stadium crowd.
The Jets (7-8) have dropped four straight and Saleh acknowledged that their playoff chances are “far-fetched,” but Wilson’s future remains a hot-button issue.
On Friday, Saleh was lukewarm on Wilson, the No. 2 pick in 2021. Asked whether he was still confident that Wilson is the franchise’s quarterback of the future, Saleh said, “We’re never going to quit on anybody. I’ve got confidence in all our guys.”
It was a noticeably different stance from Saleh, who usually has had effusive praise for Wilson.
White will be reevaluated early next week with more rib scans. If he is cleared for contact, he will almost certainly start against the Seahawks. Saleh hasn’t named a permanent starter since benching Wilson on Nov. 23, saying it’s a week-to-week evaluation.
On Friday, Saleh all but admitted that Wilson is struggling from a mental standpoint.
“That’s a good question,” Saleh said on whether Wilson has lost his confidence. “I’m with you. It’s a tough thing to try to overcome, but — but — it doesn’t take much to flip confidence. He…
