Tony Romo compares Zach Wilson to Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino

Tony Romo praises ‘super rare’ Zach Wilson

During his time as CBS’ lead NFL booth analyst, Tony Romo has showcased an uncanny ability to predict events right before they happen.

New York Jets fans certainly hope his latest prophecy comes to fruition.

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback is partaking in the Utah Open Pro-Am event at Riverside Country Club, just over a mile’s drive away from Brigham Young University. Media conversations naturally steered toward the NFL future of BYU alum Zach Wilson, who was taken by the Jets with the second overall pick of the 2021 draft after a legendary career as a Cougar.

Video shared by Sam Farnsworth of KSL-TV captured Romo’s optimistic forecast of Wilson.

Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is getting ready to play in the #UtahOpen this weekend. During his media availability he raved about Zach Wilson and the player he could become in the #NFL.
"I think he's super rare."🗣️👂🏽👇🏽#BYUFootball l #NYJets l @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/3ZNaANVnza

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) August 19, 2021

“I think you guys don’t quite know how good this kid is, I think he is super rare,” Romo said. “I think he’s like a young Dan Marino.”

Romo reminisced about the quarterback hierarchy of the 1980s, saying, “People forget Marino was the guy in the 80s, and then it morphed into (Joe) Montana and the winning all the Super Bowls and stuff. But it was like, you know, how (Aaron) Rodgers has all the talent and stuff, right, and (Tom) Brady’s like Montana, and then (John) Elway came on.”

Romo admitted that his preseason intake has been limited, but he did watch Wilson’s unofficial NFL debut on Saturday night against the New York Giants. It was enough to convince Romo that Wilson (6-of-9, 63 yards on Saturday) has a ceiling in the professional stratosphere.

“I just think that Zach has rare ability. Literally, I’ve watched him in his first preseason game and, like, maybe four other plays. But I can see certain things and he has a couple of special traits that God doesn’t give those gifts to very many people.”

“If he’s like what I think he is, a hard worker who cares and loves the sport, the ceiling is crazy high for this kid, I mean, Patrick Mahomes, crazy levels, which is saying a lot.”

Romo is set to enter his fifth season in the CBS booth, calling cames alongside play-by-play man Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.

Wilson and the Jets (1-0) return to preseason action this Saturday late afternoon, as they battle the Green Bay Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, WLNY/NFL Network).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags