New York Jets To Start QB White in Week 17

The New York Jets will have their preferred passer back in action when they face off against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.  According to the New York Post's Brian Costello, quarterback Mike White has been cleared by team doctors from his rib injury and will start on Sunday.

Doctors cleared Jets’ QB Mike White today for contact, as @BrianCoz reported, and he now is expected to start Sunday vs. Seattle.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2022

White has missed the last two games since injuring his ribs on some crunching hits in the Jets' Week 14 20-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Zach Wilson has started in his stead, losing both games while netting 358 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

White initially took over starting duties from Wilson in Week 12. He quickly proved himself an upgrade, besting the former second-overall pick in passing yards per game (317.3 to 187.6), passer rating (85.8 to 72.8), sack rate (3.7% to 8.7%), and interception rate (1.6% to 2.9%). If White can stay on the field, he'll give the 7-8 Jets their last and best chance to push for the playoffs in the final two weeks of the season.

As for Wilson, his time as a franchise quarterback appears to be coming to an end. Since being drafted second overall in 2021, he has failed to demonstrate winning characteristics, playing mistake-prone, unproductive ball across his 22 starts. With only 3477 net passing yards to his name to go along with 67 sacks and 18 interceptions, he'll likely face heavy competition in training camp next year for starting duties. If he can't distinguish himself soon, he could go down as one of the biggest draft busts in recent NFL history.

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