Jets Creating QB Controversy Between Zach Wilson and Mike White for No Reason

The Jets are flying into all-too familiar territory, creating storm clouds where there needn't be any; and possibly dealing with the consequences of the hurricane they've created while still stuck in the eye of the storm.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is expected to practice this week as he recovers from a PCL knee injury that's sidelined him for two weeks. But just because the high-profile rookie is going to be back on the practice field doesn't mean he's going to play in Week 10. Instead, it appears the Jets will give unheralded, former fifth-round pick Mike White another start, which could prove to be a massive mistake that blows up in their face.

Rap is right. No need to rush Wilson back from a knee injury. You don't want to damage the high-prized rookie more than he already has been. However, that does open the door for another possible disaster.

In five quarters of play, White has already captured the hearts of Jets fans like Wilson hasn't in six starts. White led the Jets to a stunning home upset over the Bengals two weeks ago, throwing for 405 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. He seemed primed to back it up with another strong outing against the Colts last Thursday, throwing for 95 yards and a TD in the first quarter before suffering a forearm injury that knocked him out of the game.

White is healthy now, and based on Rap's report above, seems destined to start against the Bills this week. The Bills are currently 13-point favorites on the Jets at WynnBET, a seemingly insurmountable number to overcome, except White already did it against the Bengals. Now, what happens if White upsets Buffalo at home? Are you really going to bench him in favor of a rookie who's thrown twice as many interceptions (9) as touchdowns (4) this year? White's already thrown more TDs than Wilson in less than 20% of the time on the field.

It's impossible to predict what will happen in this week's game. It's also unfair to assume because Wilson is practicing this week that he's healthy enough to play. But this has the potential for catastrophe, and if White winds up shinning for another week against a team the Jets have no business competing against, New York will have a full blown controversy at a position it never dreamed it would two weeks ago.