Jets GM Echoes Saleh's Thoughts On QB Situation

It's taken less than a New York minute for Jets quarterback Mike White to go from no-name backup to Joe Namath 2.0. Since Wilson led the Jets to an upset win over flavor-of-the-week Cincinnati, he has become the toast of the Big Apple, earning praise from coach Robert Saleh and now the GM.

"I'm so happy for Mike because this is what football's all about," Jets general manager Joe Douglas said. "You root for guys who kind of do their thing in the shadows and make the most of their opportunity."

White, 26, threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's start, the first of his career. He's the first player to reach those numbers in his first career start since at least 1950. His strong performance was made possible when starter Zach Wilson, the second-overall pick in April's draft, was injured the previous week.

“(White)'s poised, he’s showed it all throughout camp, all throughout OTAs, that he deserves to be one of those guys and obviously he showed it today,” said Saleh following the win.

White's performance last Sunday and Wilson's struggles all season have caused many to question whether White should remain under center even after Wilson is healthy enough to return. Douglas is leaving that decision to his coach and will support him either way.

"At this point, positive vibes only and we have a tough assignment this week in terms of Indianapolis (the Jets' next opponent)," Douglas said per newyorkjets.com. "That's our only focus and getting Mike ready for Indianapolis and trying to beat a very tough opponent on the road on a short week. That is our primary focus and I'm in lockstep with Coach. Anything other than that, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

As for Joe Namath 1.0, he probably couldn't care less whether White gets the nod, New York keeps winning, or the Jets struggle.

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