With training camp underway, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson needs to prove his worth
Zach Wilson may no longer be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, but he’s far from being out of the fire. The third-year quarterback will take a backseat to future first-ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers and look to improve on the abysmal start to his career. However, it seems like the BYU product could still be a work in progress.
Accuracy has been an issue for the Jets’ 2021 second overall pick. After all, Wilson holds the lowest EPA among qualifying starting quarterbacks over the last two seasons. He also finished last among 42 quarterbacks in accuracy when under pressure, completing only 30.1% of his passes. And now that training camp has started, we’re seeing some of the same issues reappear all too soon.
Zach Wilson with a couple inaccurate passes then completed a nice one to Zack Kuntz — thought I think Bryce Huff might’ve sacked him. #Jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) July 21, 2023
“Fixing” the young Jets quarterback was never going to come quickly. However, there are persistent issues that have yet to be resolved – the biggest being his mentality at the position. Wilson has a habit of making small mental errors and not allowing himself to see the entire field – being lost in the moment. So far, we’ve seen spurts of that early in camp.
Zach Wilson pulls the old “forgot it wasn’t on one” play. Pulled out, expected snap on one, yet he called it in the huddle as not on one (or something else entirely, cadence-wise).
He smacks his chest, “My bad,” and comes back on the next play, completing one to a TE (perhaps…
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) July 21, 2023
While the growing pains of Wilson could be tiresome for the Jets, there does seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel. There was a nice play on Day 2 of Jets training camp that saw Wilson climb the pocket, escape pressure and connect with his RB.
Zach Wilson steps UP/climbs the pocket, hits Dye short for nice YAC. That’s definitely one of the areas he’s looking to improve: stepping up in the pocket when it’s there—instead of freezing and taking the long route outside. Good sign.
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) July 21, 2023
It’s subtle, but important progress for Wilson. Aaron Rodgers may be a bad man, but the Jets will need an answer on their backup quarterback. The team brought in Tim Boyle at quarterback, but if their 2021 second overall pick can’t get right, he’s likely to be out of the Big Apple before the end of his rookie contract.
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Let us not forget the Jets have brought in an entirely new offensive coaching staff and playbook this year. Even a grizzled veteran would have some stumbles adjusting to that.