Joe Benigno texts Zach Wilson warning to Robert Saleh: ‘Gonna go down with this quarterback’
Joe Benigno has a message for Robert Saleh: Watch your back.
The WFAN host confirmed Monday he texted with the Jets’ head coach after Sunday’s 15-10 loss to the Patriots.
In the exchange lasting almost an hour, Benigno warned Saleh he needs to be prepared to “go down” if he sticks with Zach Wilson as the starting quarterback.
“Coach, you’re the nicest guy in the world, but you’re 12 and freaking 25. Let’s start with that,” Benigno said, per WFAN. “You’re gonna go down with this quarterback. He stinks. You’re not gonna get your year with Rodgers if you guys win four or five games this year. It’s a freaking joke.”
Saleh, in his third season as Jets coach, received a five-year deal when he took the job in January 2021.
He remains steadfast in having Wilson as QB1, saying Monday: “He’s our unquestioned quarterback.”
The Jets are getting Wilson some help, though, signing veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian on Tuesday to the practice squad.
Benigno hasn’t been hiding his disappointment in the Jets, whom he called a “disgrace,” as well as the front office, which he slammed as “inept.”
The 70-year-old radio personality said he thinks it’s possible the Jets have decided to just ride out the season and wait for Aaron Rodgers to return next season from his torn Achilles tendon.
“Knowing this inept organization, why would that surprise me?” Benigno said. “It wouldn’t. It’s a joke. That’s probably their plan. We’ll live with Zach, let’s go 3-14, and maybe we’ll be worse than the Cardinals … maybe we can finish with the worst record and draft Caleb Williams! How about that? What a disgrace.”
Benigno has been quite vocal in criticizing the Jets, finding himself in a war of words Monday with Tiki Barber, claiming the former Giants running back was going soft on Wilson.
“Stop it. You’re a Giant,” Benigno said. “If this was a situation with the Giants you’d be screaming to get Wilson the hell out of there. So, don’t give me this nonsense.”
Barber said he never screams because he watches and analyzes the games.
“OK, you can analyze all you want but (Sunday) you were in Washington with the Commanders and the Bills, were you not?” Benigno asked, referring to Barber’s CBS Sports responsibilities as a game analyst. ”So, don’t give me this nonsense how you’re analyzing Zach Wilson. I don’t want to hear it. It’s BS! He stinks!”
“OK, I’m turning my mic off,” said Barber, who then took out his earphones and walked off the set.
Before leaving, he could be heard saying: “This is bulls–t.”
