New York Jets fans can expect to see more of Zach Wilson in the preseason
After playing the first two series in his NFL debut against the New York Giants, it seems like Zach Wilson‘s workload will be similar this Saturday when he and the New York Jets take on the Packers.
Speaking with reporters today, head coach Robert Saleh said the plan is for Wilson and the starters to play at least the first two series against the Packers on Saturday. Saleh left open the possibility that they could play an additional series or two.
Zach Wilson will play Saturday against the Packers. He will play the first two series, like last week, maybe one or two more, per Robert Saleh. And, yes, Saleh is planning to play starters in the third PS game. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 17, 2021
That decision isn’t finite, however, as Saleh said he and the coaching staff would “talk toward the end of the week, see how these practices go.”
Speaking on Wilson, Saleh stated, “Part of the process of getting better is getting reps against as many different looks as possible … He’s been seeing our defense, he’s been seeing our system, and it gets to a point where he needs to see something else so he can take another step in his process.”
The Jets and Packers will be conducting joint practices at the Packers’ facility on Wednesday and Thursday leading up to the game on Saturday, where fans will get another glimpse of Wilson against an NFL defense outside of Florham Park. They will be hoping that the many positives from his debut against the Giants are carried over to Green Bay.
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Saleh would go on to confirm that he expects Wilson and the Jets’ starters to play in the third and final preseason game against the Eagles.
Robert Saleh says #Jets plan to get Zach Wilson and the starters a few series against the Packers on Sat. night – and maybe 1 or 2 more than last week.
Also, Wilson and the starters are expected to play some in the final preseason game next week vs. the Eagles.
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 17, 2021
As with the Packers, the Jets will also have joint practices prior to their matchup with the Eagles.
It’s been clear from the start of the offseason that Saleh and the Jets’ coaching staff want to get Wilson as many reps as possible. Considering the steepness of a rookie quarterback’s learning curve, getting Wilson familiar with the entirety of the playbook early can provide ample benefits going forward.
Weighing the risk of injury and the reward of knowledge, Saleh and company are trying to strike a proper balance as they get their quarterback prepared for the start of his rookie season.
