NY Jets' HC Saleh faces choice between QBs Wilson and White

It's not often you have to choose between one quarterback who made history and another who was the No. 2 pick overall, but that's exactly what the New York Jets have to do.

Injured Zach Wilson is overjoyed for Mike White

When the final whistle blew on Sunday night and Mike White walked off the field it wasn't just to cheering fans - he had just posted a 405-yard passing performance for the New York Jets - but to the joy of his teammate Zach Wilson. The two embraced. White would later discover on his phone that there were numerous test messages sent to him during the game by Wilson himself. "He honestly might have been more juiced up than me," White said on Monday.

Jets' coach Saleh weighs in on the dilemma of choice

The Jets now face a 'good' headache as Wilson is due back in 2 weeks more or less. On the other hand if White continues in the same vein it could be a tough choice to make when the time comes. Coach Robert Saleh did nothing to ease the speculation when questioned on whether or not Wilson would return to his starting role once fit. "If everything goes according to plan and Zach comes back and he's healthy, we'll address it when we cross that bridge," Saleh said.

In the meantime, White will assuredly be in the starting line up for Thursday night's date with the Indianapolis Colts. Should he put in a performance close to his last, he will lift the Jets to a 2-5 record going into the bye with the Buffalo Bills lying in wait next. For the moment the Jets are remaining positive about Wilson's chances of playing against Buffalo. "At the very, very least, we feel really, really good about his ability to practice [next] week," Saleh added.

Wilson who was the No.2 pick overall in the draft is regarded as the focal point around which the Jets' future will be built. So far he had enjoyed a rough start to life in the NFL even suffering a game in which he threw four interceptions. White by contrast is a former practice-squad player who quite frankly put in the second best performance in NFL history for a first time starter when he threw for 405 passing yards. Not since Vinny Testaverde in 2000, has a Jets QB thrown 400 yards. Saleh was even more playful in his evasion when pressed on the issue of choice,"That's for you guys to talk about," Saleh said. "I know exactly how we'll operate. I know exactly what we're looking for. If it's something you want to play with and have fun with, I mean, it doesn't surprise me. But have fun."For now, it's nothing but positive vibes.

Mike White talks about Zach Wilson

"Zach was awesome," White said. "He gave me this huge hug. I was real nervous that I hurt his knee and banged him up." he said with a laugh. "He was texting my phone during the game, like every play, knowing obviously that I wasn't answering," he added. "He was like, 'Oh, my god, that was awesome.' Then he had this big, long congratulatory text for me and how happy he was. His girlfriend texted my wife. They were unbelievable."

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Prior to Sunday, it could be said that White wasn't on the radar. He had secured his spot on the roster as the No. 2 quarterback and that's where he sat until Sunday's game when he became the first player in NFL history to throw for 400 yards and three touchdowns in their first start. In the end he threw two touchdown passes in the final 4:36 to take the Jets to one of their most incredible victories.

The Jets share their thoughts

"It was special to watch," defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said. "Hearing the crowd say his name, I mean, that's something that only we'll never forget, but for a guy like him - first career start, in that environment - that was big for him." Fellow teammate and Linebacker C.J. Mosley called it "a moment to remember for him, for the fans and for our football team."

Several other teammates noted that they weren't surprised by his performance as he had always shown the signs on the practice field. Mosley added, "...a collection of his hard work, his preparation and a young man being ready when his name was called."