Former Giants star Tiki Barber calls Zach Wilson's reported reluctance to return as Jets quarterback a 'puss move' and tells the team 'CUT his a**'

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson could return under center, but reports of reluctance to return have irked some members of the football media.

That includes former New York Giants star running back Tiki Barber - now working for WFAN radio - who went on a tirade after hearing rumors that Wilson is reluctant to get back on the team.

During the rant, Barber called the alleged hesitation a 'puss move' and advised the Jets to 'cut his a**' if those rumors were true.

'It is hard enough just to get here. It is a complete other level to actually have some level of success…and then there is staying here,' Barber said during Monday's 'Evan & Tiki show. 

'And the only way to stay here in the NFL is to go above and beyond, even when it sucks. Whatever they ask you to do, you go do. 

'For Zach Wilson to allegedly have some doubt about wanting to play should invalidate him from being in the NFL. Period.

'If you're gonna tell your team — I don't care how they treated you — if you're gonna tell the team that employs you, and is trying to give you another opportunity, 'No thanks,' you have sacrificed your right to be in this league.'

The Jets have tried distancing themselves from this, with coach Robert Saleh telling reporters that Wilson actually walked into his office and asked to be reinstated.

It's all part of yet another season of poor quarterbacking from the Jets - punctuated by a 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at home that was there for the taking.

Sunday's starter, Tim Boyle, struggled and when he was replaced by backup Trevor Siemian the results were not much better. 

That led to reports from The Athletic that the Jets could be looking to make a move at quarterback and maybe go back to Wilson. However, those same reports said the QB was reluctant to play - stemming from concern over injury risk - before Aaron Rodgers reached out asking him to reconsider.

'There are 150 guys sitting on their couches that played at small D-I colleges…that would cut off their left pinky finger to come play in the National Football League,' Barber said during the program. 'And you're gonna say "No thanks?" Come on Zach, I hope this isn't true.'

Saleh has not publicly said who would be starting next Sunday's game against the Houston Texans just yet, saying, 'I want to make sure we're making the right decision for this organization moving forward and making sure the guy who is best ready to play is on the football field. … It's who gives us the best chance to win — that simple.'