ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back his thoughts about Jets head coach Robert Saleh after confirming Zach Wilson would remain the starting quarterback.
“First of all, Coach Saleh, stop lying to the American public. Stop lying to people,” Smith said Monday on ESPN’s “First Take.”
Once again, the Jets saw an ugly loss, losing 15-10 to the Patriots (1-2) on Sunday.
When Saleh was asked if they were going to continue to go with the 25-year-old quarterback, he stuck to his guns.
Wilson completed 18 of 36 pass attempts for 157 yards with no touchdowns in his second start of the season after Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury.
Sunday’s game marks the third straight game Wilson was held under 175 passing yards and had a QBR under 40.
Smith recognizes that these stats have struck a chord with the Jets, who were expecting to enter a new era of success with Rodgers.
“You know good and damn well you don’t believe in this kid,” Smith said. “You know this. You’re just making yourself look like a fool when you say something like that. You do not believe in him. You have no choice. You’re stuck with him. I know you have to give the pomp and circumstance, but damn it, you don’t have to go overboard with it. He’s been doing that.”
One problem, according to “First Take” panelist and three-time Super Bowl champ Shannon Sharpe, is Wilson’s confidence.
“Not one guy in the locker room believes in him, Rex,” Sharpe said. “And I’m not so sure that he believes in himself.”
Even Wilson’s teammate Garrett Wilson admitted that the losing streak is causing frustration amongst the team.
“Just frustration,” he told reporters on Sunday. “We’re not moving the ball. That’s what it was. Our defense was stringing together some stops, and I felt like it was time to go. Time to put some points on the board.”
Sunday’s loss leaves the Jets with a losing record (1-2) and in last place in the AFC East.
