Texans

Zach Wilson Named Jets Starter Despite Locker Room Leaks

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The Jets have named Zach Wilson their starter for this weekend’s game against Houston. “Zach gives us the best chance to win,” head coach Robert Salah told reporters on Wednesday. However, the choice to reinstate Wilson as starter comes amidst speculation about the young QB’s mindset. A recent report by The Athletic revealed that Wilson was reportedly “reluctant” to play late-season games if the Jets weren’t still in the playoff hunt. While the 4-8 Jets can mathematically qualify, their window is quickly closing. They have lost their last five games and have been consistently unable to find the endzone in that stretch.

In naming Wilson starter, as opposed to Trevor Siemian or Brett Rypien, Salah avoided having the Jets become the first Jets team since 1989 to start four quarterbacks. However, given how dire the situation is for the Jets, Wilson will likely be given a short lease. The Texans are surging, having won four of their last five games. Sunday is an absolute must-win game for New York.

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Aaron Rodgers Still Considering Return For Jets

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is still optimistic that he can return this season. The veteran QB recently argued that he could return earlier than Christmas Eve if his recovery continues to go well. “Anything is possible. It feels great to be on the practice field, but I’m not anywhere near ready to play,” Rodgers told reporters last week. The veteran QB was cleared for limited practice last Wednesday, giving the Jets 21 days to activate him from injured reserve. This week could see Rodgers practicing on back-to-back days if he feels capable of doing so.

However, Rodgers reiterated that his return depends on whether the Jets can still make the playoffs. “I don’t think that would make a ton of sense. A comeback this year before the four-month mark would mean I’m not 100 percent healthy, so it’d be a risk for myself. For the team to sign off on if we’re out of it, I’d be surprised if they would OK that to come back,” Rodgers noted. Per ESPN, the 4-8 Jets have a less than 1% chance to make the playoffs.

Read More: Conor McGregor “Raps” During Twitter Beef, Immediately Deletes His Verse

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The post Zach Wilson Named Jets Starter Despite Locker Room Leaks appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

C.J. Stroud Felt “Disrespected” By Ohio State State QB Recruitment

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C.J. Stroud is the presumptive starter for the Houston Texans. The ailing AFC South team took Stroud second overall in the recent NFL Draft. Furthermore, Stroud has the most promise of success in a quarterback room that also includes, Davis Mills, Case Keenum, and E.J. Perry. Furthermore, the Texans are clearly in a win-now mode given their aggression on draft night.

However, there have been rumors that Stroud was a pick forced by Texans ownership. Many believe that several key members of the Texans coaching staff would have preferred to pick Kentucky’s Will Levis. But not being the first choice is something that Stroud has experienced before and motivates him to prove others wrong.

Stroud Found Ewers Recruitment “Disrespectful”

KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 27: CJ Stroud poses after being selected second overall pick by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

In 2021, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields left for the NFL. It was expected that Stroud, the redshirt freshman, would take the starting job. However, the Buckeyes also brought in the #1 recruit in the country, quarterback Quinn Ewers. That didn’t sit well with Stroud, who would go on to win the starting job. “I kind of felt disrespected. I didn’t like that,” Stroud told The Shop podcast. Furthermore, Stroud alleges that he didn’t know about Ewers’ recruitment until “the day he arrived”. The starting gig was considered a battle between Stroud and Ewers, with some Ohio State fans believing that, given his massive potential, Ewers should at least be given a shot.

However, Stroud eventually won the quarterback battle and would lead the Buckeyes’ offense for two seasons. Meanwhile, Ewers would transfer after the 2021 season, landing with the Texas Longhorns. Ewers could be a first-round draft pick in the 2024 draft and is considered the third or fourth-best prospect at the position. Regardless, all of this comes as Stroud is once again challenged despite his pedigree. “I think that’s up to him and how he plays and the coaches, how they see him,” CEO Cal McNair said. “He’ll earn his spot, wherever that is. And he’ll feel like he’s earned it, and the team will feel like he’s earned wherever he winds up.”

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