The Jets will start their fourth different quarterback of the season this Christmas Eve when the Jets host the Washington Commanders, and this time it has nothing to do with a benching.

Head coach Robert Saleh announced Friday that Zach Wilson remains in concussion protocol and will miss the game. Trevor Siemian will start in his place.

Siemian has seen some mop up duty this season, but this will be his first start of the year. The Jets had previously started Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson, and Tim Boyle.

"I am super grateful," said Siemian, a seven-year veteran and journeyman. "At this point in my career especially, any chance I get to play is awesome, so if it happens, I'll be ready. If not, I'm hoping Zach's coming back and he's feeling alright."

This will be his first since Week 12 of last season for Chicago, which actually came against the Jets.

"It's crazy, but I think that's your job [as a backup QB]," Siemian said of preparing like a starter. "You go through the whole week as if you're the starter even though you're not getting the reps, but mentally you're in it, you're trying to visualize all those things. There's nothing like getting the reps, so it's zero to 100 pretty quick, and it's a rush man. It's a lot of fun."

Siemian worked with starters for the first time in Wednesday's practice, which was a walkthrough, and told reporters he already has a better command for the offense.

"Getting the reps is great," he said. "I think the two times I've played, it's kind of been like trying to throw back in the game a little bit, so it'll be nice if I do play to get a full run at it, but it is what it is. It's a job. It's the life of a backup quarterback. I'll be ready to play if they need me and, if not, we'll go from there."

Siemian has appeared in two games for the Jets this season and completed 48.7% of his passes for 176 yards and two interceptions during those spot appearances. For his career, he's 13-17 as a starter, with all the wins coming with the Broncos in 2016 and 2017.

As for Wilson, he left Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter due to a head injury and was later placed in concussion protocol. Robert Saleh said that it's a possibility Wilson clears protocol in time for their Week 17 game at the Cleveland Browns.

Brett Rypien is the other quarterback on the Jets roster and will back up Siemian. While Aaron Rodgers was activated onto the 53-man roster to continue practicing with the team and working on his rehab from that torn Achilles he suffered in Week 1, Saleh reaffirmed that he will not be back this season and will not be the team's emergency third quarterback.

Sunday's game features a Jets offense that is last in the NFL in total yards per game (255.1) against a Washington defense that is last in total YPG allowed (384.5). Something's got to give. Unfortunately, it may be trending Washington’s way on this one.

Jets are wasting Garrett Wilson with terrible offense

Garrett Wilson is a rare talent. He is a true, bona fide number one receiver in the NFL. He is also being wasted by the New York Jets. Wilson ended the 30-0 loss against the Miami Dolphins with three receptions on only four targets for a measly 29 yards. The Jets couldn’t manage anything offensively […]

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