Zach Wilson denies report he was reluctant to return to Jets’ starting lineup, as quarterback prepares to lead team this weekend vs. Texans

Zach Wilson denied that to The Athletic report who claimed he was reluctant to return to the Jets' starting lineup.

After taking over for an injured Aaron Rodgers in Week 1, Wilson was ultimately benched for Tim Boyle before Week 12.

But Boyle was fired Tuesday and Wilson has been reinstated as the team's starter — something he said he had no hesitation about.

'Absolutely not. “I love the boys in this locker room and I would do anything,” he told reporters. “I think any time you get an opportunity to step on this field, you should take advantage of it.”

The Jets also signed Brett Rypien from the Seahawks' practice squad after waiving Boyle, who has been disappointing in two starts.

Zach Wilson could quickly return to the starting lineup for the Jets after a brief stint on the bench

Jets coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday: 'Zach gives us the best chance to win'

On Tuesday, Rodgers defended Wilson, calling his teammate “a great young man.”

'I love the child. I spent a lot of time with him,” he said on the radio Pat McAfee Show.

“He's been through a lot of trouble over the last three years, and he has every right to be frustrated and disappointed about it.”

Rodgers added that the report attempted to “assassinate Wilson's character.”

“I'll say this when you have sources, right, and that's always interesting,” he said. “First of all, you can go down a whole rabbit hole of factual sources, made-up sources, why is someone willing to be a source?

Aaron Rodgers appeared on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and spoke quite openly

'What do they gain from that? But when you use sources, intentionally or unintentionally, and try to assassinate someone's character, as that report for Zach does, I have a very hard time with that.”

“I mean, you're basically saying this kid quit the team, doesn't want to play anymore and has given the middle finger to the organization,” he added.

Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has consistently struggled since entering the league, and the team is just 3-6 this year with him as the starter.

The third-year pro will look to make his mark for the Texans this weekend.