New York Jets legend Wayne Chrebet loves the current state of his former team and is a big fan of new franchise quarterback Zach Wilson.
As a man who made four playoff appearances with the New York Jets and currently ranks second in franchise history with 580 receptions, Wayne Chrebet knows a thing or two about what it takes to build a winning football team in the nation’s biggest media market.
Perhaps what’s most exciting for the fans is that he sees many of same winning traits in the current iteration of the team.
Speaking about Robert Saleh on The Underdog Jets Podcast, hosted by himself and Robby Sabo, Chrebet discussed the impact that the new head coach is having on the organization.
“He makes you feel like you belong, makes you feel like you’re a part of it,” Chrebet said on the debut episode of his podcast. “Even besides the players and the coaches – everybody involved, and that’s what you want. You want to be a part of the community.”
Chrebet harkened back to his days playing under Herm Edwards to describe the importance of a positive culture within the organization.
“[Edwards] was a guy who believed in that—having the family around, friends come around, just having that family atmosphere, family barbecues. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but when you could do that, it just adds so much more to the experience of being in the NFL.”
The community feel that Chrebet experienced under Edwards was not something that was always present throughout his Jets days.
“We didn’t always have that when I was there,” Chrebet added. ” … At the beginning of my career, it was like you left the complex, and it was nothing. There were no relationships, there was no connection. And the fact that they’re bringing culture, they’re bringing that to the organization, it definitely is going to help them be successful.”
Chrebet points out the fact that the Jets had more than 80 players report to Phase Two of the team’s voluntary offseason program as evidence that Saleh is building a great culture.
“You look around the league and there are guys fighting not to have to show up [to OTAs] … so for 80 guys to show up, that’ll show you the connection that coach Saleh has made with his team. … They’re gonna have a leg up on these teams that aren’t there.”
Looking at the quarterback position, Chrebet likes the decisions that the Jets made.
“This kid is special. You couldn’t pass on Zach Wilson … he’s their quarterback. He’s this regime’s guy. Sam wasn’t their guy. They’re gonna live and die with him (Wilson).”
You can hear Chrebet talk about his Jets career and his thoughts on the current state of his franchise in the video below.
