Mike White: ‘If you ask me, I should have been a first overall pick’

Mike White and Zach Wilson speak to the media on Thursday

Following Thursday’s practice, the New York Jets sent out quarterbacks Mike White and Zach Wilson to speak with the media.

White is fully healthy after exiting in the first quarter of a loss to Indianapolis last Thursday. He is set to make his third consecutive start in place of Wilson, who is continuing his recovery from a PCL injury. Joe Flacco is expected to back White up when the Buffalo Bills come to town on Sunday.

Asked about the “Mike White” chants that echoed throughout MetLife Stadium on Halloween, White said he hopes to hear them again on Sunday, as they would likely mean the offense is having success. White added that his teammates in the locker room often execute the chant.

The Jets chant "Mike White" every time he walks into the locker room 🤣 pic.twitter.com/pQDKVc527s

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 11, 2021

Showing off his confidence, White responded to a question about why he was overlooked in the 2018 draft by stating, “If you ask me, I should have been a first overall pick.”

Mike White on why he was overlooked as a prospect:

"If you ask me, I should have been a first overall pick" pic.twitter.com/cB7Y1M1NTo

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 11, 2021

White assures that the dynamic between himself and Wilson has not been awkward. He says that Wilson has been “supportive” and “awesome,” and that the recent events have not altered their relationship.

Mike White on the dynamic between himself and Zach Wilson:

"It hasn't been awkward for a second, he's been so supportive. It hasn't changed our relationship one bit, and it won't" pic.twitter.com/IveFs8MO0M

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 11, 2021

White also spoke about what he learned from playing behind Dak Prescott in Dallas, highlighting Prescott’s off-field camaraderie with every member of the organization.

What @MikeWhiteQB learned from @Dak. pic.twitter.com/f4oPQBq7h1

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 11, 2021

Wilson gave an update on his injury, stating that he’d like to have been back quicker but also mentioning he understands knee injuries could be much worse and that his timetable is about the best he could have hoped for.

.@ZachWilson with an update on his knee injury. pic.twitter.com/JrrdmcB7JF

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 11, 2021

Wilson discussed what he has taken away from sitting back and watching the offense thrive, calling the experience “very beneficial.”

.@ZachWilson on the benefit of being able to watch the offense during his rehab. pic.twitter.com/1SlZR1tN20

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 11, 2021

Speaking specifically about White’s playstyle, Wilson said he admires White’s “ability to quickly eliminate, just quickly go through the process” and his “ability to not feel like he needs to force something.”

Zach Wilson says he could learn a lot from Mike White's style of play: pic.twitter.com/IEvM0BAvEc

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 11, 2021

Regarding the dynamic of whether or not he wants White to play well, Wilson shot down any idea that he would root against his backup, stating, “What’s the point of butting heads when we can help each other out? I think we can both benefit from the situation.”

"In college, you want the team to do well, but a part in your head says, 'oh man, I hope the backup doesn't do well.' But in the NFL, it's so different – I really do hope Mike does well"

– Zach Wilson pic.twitter.com/Gl2TiW8FoH

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 11, 2021

White has thrown for 500 yards and four touchdowns in just under five quarters of play as the Jets’ starting quarterback. He will aim to build upon that success on Sunday against the Bills’ top-ranked scoring defense (14.8 points per game).