Zach Wilson is “perfect” for New York, according to Michael Carter
If someone were to ever compile a list of necessary traits to play quarterback for the New York Jets, thick skin would be near the top of that list. In a city with a predatory media market like that of New York, it becomes nearly impossible to miss the outside noise, especially for someone leading an NFL franchise at the most important position in all of sports.
Despite all of this, Jets running back Michael Carter thinks Zach Wilson is “the perfect quarterback for the New York market.”
👏 “He’s the perfect QB for the New York market. He doesn’t hear any noise.”
❌ “It’s so cool. No matter what you write, it doesn’t matter to him.”@MCarter2nd explains why he thinks @ZachWilson is the perfect QB fit for the @NYJets
🏈 on 📻 for @NFLUK fans pic.twitter.com/og3BNcitQn
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 12, 2022
“He doesn’t hear any of it. He could care less,” said Carter on Wilson’s response to the noise. “He’ll see it, and he’ll be like ‘Haha isn’t this so funny? They talked about how I threw two interceptions today.’ If that was me, I would be like ‘man, you better stop writing about me.’ He’s like ‘Haha. I’ll get better.’ His mindset is, like, he’s literally wired like that.”
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At just 22 years old, Wilson was thrust into the flames as he started his NFL career in 2021. Drafted by a team fresh off of a 2-14 season, Wilson, a kid from Utah that played college ball at BYU, quickly became the face of one of the biggest franchises in one of the biggest cities in the world. That said, it’s also one of the most critical cities in the world.
Looking back on Wilson’s rookie season, there were certainly down points. Early on in the season he led the NFL in interceptions and struggled to find the accuracy that had propelled him to the top of the 2021 NFL draft. And with the struggles came the noise.
According to Carter, however, Wilson never let it get to him. And he meant that quite literally. Much of the noise never even had the chance to grace Wilson’s eyes and ears.
“I’d say about 95 percent of the stuff he will never see. Writing about him is worthless, because, like, he’s not gonna see it,” said Carter.
Even for that five percent that he does see, it doesn’t affect him. “He’s so internally motivated that, like, no matter what you write, it’s just writing to him,” said Carter.
As led on earlier, there might not be a more valuable trait to have as the starting quarterback of the New York Jets. In a market that has eaten so many stars alive, thick skin is a key component of success in New York sports.
And Carter loves that about his teammate. “He does not care what anybody thinks. And it’s so cool,” said Carter.
In 2022, Wilson should have a great chance to improve alongside a similarly improved supporting cast. But even if/when he and the team improve, there will be hate and doubt shot in their direction. If he can continue to deal with it as he has proven he can, Wilson should have no issue proceeding in his acclimation to New York.