New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh insists "anything is possible" at the quarterback position after a stunning display from backup Mike White.
White stepped in for the injured Zach Wilson – the number two overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft – and led the Jets to an upset 34-31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
With Wilson out due to a knee problem, White starred on his first career start, throwing for 405 yards and three touchdowns, recording the team's first 400+ yard passing day since 2000.
White was a fifth-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 and has been cut five times in his career.
He was on the Jets roster bubble during training camp before winning the battle to backup BYU standout Wilson.
And after a surprisingly impressive performance, Saleh was ruling nothing out over White's long-term prospects with the Jets.
"We'll go day-to-day, but anything is possible, right?" Saleh said after White completed 37 of his 45 passes in a display that saw him bounce back from two first-half interceptions.
"Anything is possible. So it goes back to that whole theory of: The difference between player A and player Z is an opportunity and reps.
"That's what this league is. That's professional sports. That's why they come out of nowhere. Someone gets an opportunity.
"And what Mike does with his opportunity - he's got the world in front of him and he's just got to take advantage of it."
The Jets improved to 2-5 while the Bengals fell to 5-3.
Saleh's team struck a trade to bring veteran Joe Flacco back into the building after Wilson's injury but it will be White who gets another opportunity to shine at the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football.
After Saleh kept the debate open, another good performance from the 26-year-old could provoke an unexpected quarterback controversy.
Asked about the Jets fans chanting his name during the game, White said: "At first, I had to kind of listen again! I was like, 'Are they chanting my name?' That was pretty cool."
Wilson will be watching the Colts game with interest. He produced some mixed performances in his first six NFL games, throwing just four TDs to nine interceptions.
Russell Wilson return to 'special' Seattle 'has got to be non-emotional'
Russell Wilson is determined not to be caught up in the emotion of his Week 1 return to Seattle after leaving the Seahawks for the Denver Broncos.
Wilson's 10-season career on the Seahawks, which included their Super Bowl XLVIII success, ended this offseason with his trade to the Broncos.
The 2022 NFL schedule release then threw up an early treat, with the Broncos visiting Lumen Field on September 12, in Wilson's first regular season game for the team.
But for all the fond memories the nine-time Pro Bowler has of his team as a Seahawk, his focus will be on a first win in Broncos colours.
"I think it's going to be an exciting time," Wilson told reporters. "Obviously, Seattle's meant the world to me over the past 10 years.
"It's a special place, special place to play, Lumen Field. I have a high regard for all those guys over there and what they do.
"I think, for me, it's non-emotional, though – it has got to be non-emotional.
"You've got to be able to go into it with an understanding that it's just ball – and also understand that there's been amazing times. There's been a lot of touchdowns there, won a lot of games there, so I had a great experience.
"It'll always be a special place in my heart forever. So, for me, it's about going up there and trying to play the best football for our football team here and try to go win."
Crucially, Wilson is set to get in Denver what he was denied in Seattle, an offense shaped entirely around his ability at QB.
New Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said: "We want to build this thing completely around him and make sure that he's comfortable and watch him come alive."
Mac Jones 'cleaned up diet', looks 'more in shape than ever'
The New England Patriots are expecting a big second season from quarterback Mac Jones after he returned to the team "in the best shape of his life".
In his rookie 2021 season, former Alabama QB Jones led the Patriots back to the playoffs with a 10-7 record.
Starting all 17 regular season games, he threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Selected 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones was the standout performer among the rookie QBs, although his season ended in a blowout 47-17 defeat to NFC East rivals the Buffalo Bills in the postseason.
The Patriots head into 2022 without long-time offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who has been named head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, but Jones appears set for another big year.
"He's in the best shape of his life," receiver Kendrick Bourne said of Jones. "He looks really good. His stomach is gone.
"When you're a rookie, you just don't know it until you go through it for a year. So, he's definitely a lot more in shape than he ever was, just dominating in conditioning. It's dope to see."
Jones explained: "I just cleaned up my diet. I've learned more this offseason than I probably ever have about nutrition, sleep, wellness, all that stuff.
"At the same time, I need to be able to maintain my weight and be able to take hits. There's a fine balance for every player.
"I've definitely trimmed down on the body fat, and I'll get a chance to bulk up before the season starts and be able to absorb hits."
Browns bringing back Clowney on another one-year deal
Jadeveon Clowney is heading back to the Cleveland Browns after being rewarded for a healthy 2021 season.
A three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, Clowney's ability has rarely been in question, but he had been limited to just eight games for the Tennessee Titans ahead of joining the Browns last year.
The Browns gave their new signing a one-year year last April worth up to $10million and were duly rewarded with one of the best seasons of his career.
Playing opposite Myles Garrett, Clowney finished with nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 starts – each the second-best returns of his career.
Only Garrett (16) had more sacks for the Browns, and Clowney has done enough to convince the team to invest again for 2022.
According to ESPN, the player is returning on another 12-month deal, this time with a value up to $11m.
The Browns finished a disappointing third in the AFC North at 8-9 in 2021 but will hope to be contenders after trading for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson played on the same Houston Texans team as Clowney between 2017 and 2018.
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