Jets’ Saleh: Zach Wilson wants to play but QB call still TBD

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets are immersed in a quarterback controversy, but not the usual kind. This one revolves around Zach Wilson and whether he wants his old job back.

Right now, the Jets don’t have a starter for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, as coach Robert Saleh declined Monday to pick a quarterback from Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian — none of whom has played well in the aftermath of Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles tendon injury.

The decision might have been muddied when The Athletic reported that the team is leaning toward Wilson, but that he’s reluctant to play because of the perceived injury risk.

Saleh insisted that isn’t the case, saying Wilson came to him around 3 p.m. ET on Monday and expressed a desire to start. It’s not clear if Wilson sought out his coach because of the report.

“If he was reluctant to play, guys, he wouldn’t be here,” Saleh told reporters.

“The young man wants the ball. He wants to start,” the coach added. “He believes he’s the best quarterback in the room and the best quarterback for this team and the guy who gives us the best chance to win. And I’ll tell you guys the same thing I told him: I appreciate it. I appreciate the fact that he wants to play. I’m just not there yet [with a decision].”

It’s an unusual twist for a team that has been hampered for years by quarterback instability. The season was built around Rodgers, but his Week 1 injury forced the Jets to turn to Wilson, who was benched after nine starts in favor of Boyle. He in turn was replaced by Siemian in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 13-8…