MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — When the New York Jets host the Miami Dolphins on Friday, Robert Saleh will truly test the limits of the following adage:
“There’s never a wrong time to do the right thing.”
Because benching Zach Wilson after his horrendous 2023 season is certainly the right move.
But the timing?
Yeesh.
Miami Dolphins Set To Face New York Jets’ Tim Boyle
Saleh announced Monday that backup Tim Boyle will start against the Dolphins on Black Friday, giving the fifth-year pro a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in a showcase game.
Coach Saleh on the decision to start QB Tim Boyle this week.
He also adds that QB Trevor Siemian will be the immediate backup. pic.twitter.com/sxDIg708yH
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 20, 2023
“I wouldn’t look at it as a failure,” Saleh said of a very clear failure in quarterback evaluation, development, and performance.
Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, will go down as one of the biggest busts in franchise — if not league — history.
MORE: ‘Shell’ Game: The Zone Defense That’s Slowing Down the Miami Dolphins Offense
Wilson as a pro has completed just 56.6% of his passes, thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, and has a passer rating of just 71.9.
And he hit rock bottom in Sunday’s 32-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills when he was benched for Boyle after completing just seven of 15 passes for 81 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
But Boyle was no better, going 7-for-14 passing for 33 yards and a pick in 19 snaps.
However, Saleh couldn’t have faced his locker room without making a change, and so it’ll be Boyle under center in North Jersey on Friday.
Boyle will have less time than usual to prepare for his first start since 2021. So, it’s a stretch to think that he’s going to be the elixir to the Jets’ woes on offense — particularly against a Dolphins defense that is playing at an elite level.
In the three games since Jalen Ramsey came off of injured reserve, the Dolphins have allowed just 51 points, 41 first downs, 781 yards (4.7 per play), and have forced five turnovers — including three Ramsey interceptions.
No wonder, then, that the Dolphins (-9.5) are the biggest road favorites in the league in Week 12.
“If you are not really striving to be the best, then you’re kind of just out there for no reason,” Dolphins safety Jevon Holland said Monday.
“Obviously the goal is to be the best and with our execution and how we’re playing; we’re continuing to try and build on each performance week in and week out, and hopefully we put together a complete game in the near future. That’s our goal, is to play a complete game of football.”
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