Zach Wilson’s benching will extend past the final three drives of Sunday’s game against the Bills.
The Jets will start Tim Boyle, who initially began the season as the third-string quarterback on the practice squad, for Friday’s game against the Dolphins, The Post’s Brian Costello confirmed.
It it unclear if this a one-game move or the plan for the rest of the season.
But Gang Green needed a spark after its record dipped to 4-6 — and further out of the playoff picture — following a 32-6 loss in Buffalo.
Boyle, a 29-year-old who last started a game in 2021 with the Lions, will get the chance to ignite an offense that ended a 41-drive touchdown drought Sunday but still has just one since Week 8.
Trevor Semian, currently on the practice squad, was the other option to remain Wilson.
It is unclear if Wilson or Siemian will be Boyle’s backup.
“I mean, I guess that’s what you hope for when you do it, right?” tight end Tyler Conklin said Monday when asked if a quarterback change could provide a spark, two hours before NFL Network initially reported the pivot. “You’re trying to find a spark or something to kind of jolt this offense. So obviously, we’re looking for that.
“Is that the answer? I have no idea. We’re going to find out, I guess, or whatever happens. … I think it can be.”
After taking over for Wilson, Boyle completed 7-of-14 passes for 33 yards and an interception.
Two of his three drives ended with turnovers, though the first was a fumble was committed by wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Boyle was nearly intercepted by Jordan Poyer on the second possession, but the call was overturned.
Then, on the Jets’ final drive, Boyle’s pass intended for Tyler Conklin was snagged by Rasul Douglas.
Last season, head coach Robert Saleh benched Wilson in favor of Mike White, and the move worked for a few games until White got injured.
But after Wilson regained his starting role, he lost it again — this time to Chris Streveler.
Wilson again slid into the backup role when the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers in March, learning from the 39-year-old as teammates and coaches complimented his strides, but that outlook changed just four offensive snaps into the season when Rodgers tore his Achilles.
Wilson flashed potential at times, especially in an Oct. 1 loss to the Chiefs when he outplayed Patrick Mahomes, but two of the Jets’ three losses in their current losing streak have ended with the offense managing just six points.
That prompted Saleh to make the change. The Jets tried moving offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to the coaches’ booth. They tried adding snaps for some rookies, even cutting running back Michael Carter last week to help open playing time.
But nothing worked. The offense still struggled.
So, after avoiding a quarterback change for as long as possible, Saleh, seemingly, was left without another option.
The No. 2 overall pick in 2021 will once again be a backup.
