Could Jets coach Robert Saleh potentially go from the promised land to the tattoo parlor?
That’s what former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez inquired about Sunday during a pregame interview on Fox, with the current NFL analyst asking Saleh if he would ink Zach Wilson on his body, much like ex-Jets coach Rex Ryan did with Sanchez.
“I know from my experience, the only way to know if a coach is totally bought in on the quarterback is if you get a tattoo,” Sanchez said to Saleh before both erupted with laughter.
“Are you willing to get a tattoo?”
Though Saleh responded, “No, I don’t get tattoos,” the third-year coach quipped about what it could take to immortalize Wilson, 24, on his body.
“You know, if he gets us to the promised land, I’ll put a tattoo,” Saleh said, later adding, “Put his whole face on my back.”
Wilson, the Jets’ second overall pick in 2021, slid into the role of QB1 in September when starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury just four plays into the team’s season opener.
The Jets currently stand at 2-3 and hosted the undefeated Eagles (5-0) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Through five games this year, Wilson has thrown for 911 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.
He has also completed 61.1 percent of his passes.
If there’s anyone who knows what it’s like to be in Wilson’s shoes, it’s Sanchez.
Selected fifth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, the former USC product spent the first five years of his career with the Jets, which included back-to-back postseason appearances in 2009 and 2010.
In early 2013, photos surfaced of Ryan rocking a tattoo that featured a caricature of his wife wearing Sanchez’s No. 6 Jets jersey.
Despite the permanent display on Ryan’s arm, Sanchez’s time with the Jets didn’t last forever, as he was released in 2014.
He later spent time with the Eagles, Cowboys, Bears and Washington before calling it a career in July 2019.
Sanchez is part of Fox’s coverage for the Jets-Eagles contest.
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