New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson drew praise from Chiefs players and an NBA superstar after a career-best performance
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson had an incredible performance on Sunday night against the Chiefs.
The BYU product threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns on 28 completions en route to a 105.2 passer rating. Wilson also had a historic performance, outdueling superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes in almost every possible metric.
Per @OptaSTATS, Zach Wilson is the only opposing QB to have more completions, passing yards, TD passes and fewer interceptions than Patrick Mahomes in ANY of the 127 games Mahomes has started in college or the NFL😱🤯
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) October 2, 2023
After a week of unprecedented vitriol from Joe Namath, the Jets fan base, and both the New York and national media, Wilson’s performance drew praise from both his opponent and an NBA superstar.
After the game, Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones called Wilson “special” and said he did not want to write off a player of his caliber after some bad games.
“I think it’s important to give a guy respect. Look at those throws he is making right there. The kid is special.”
Chris Jones has a lot of respect for Zach Wilson and the Jets.
(🎥Via: NFL) pic.twitter.com/Vv6QXwTCFP
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 2, 2023
Jones was not the only Kansas City player to praise Wilson. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed said that Wilson “came out today and showed he belongs in the NFL.” Quarterback Patrick Mahomes noted that the Jets’ quarterback made “a lot of big-time throws” and was proud of how Wilson played.
Patrick Mahomes had high praise for Zach Wilson after the Chiefs win over the Jets.#SNF #BYU #BYUFootball @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/35H3eBdJmH
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) October 2, 2023
.@NFLonCBS Postgame:
While Marquez Valdes-Scantling crashes the interview in good fun & puts "the seatbelt" on L'Jarius Sneed…
Sneed said this on Zach Wilson:
"Last couple of games he didn’t play well. He came out today and showed he belongs in the NFL." pic.twitter.com/PNMKRLMp6I
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 2, 2023
Chiefs players were not the only ones to praise Wilson, as NBA superstar LeBron James showed support for Wilson. In an Instagram story, James said that Wilson had a “helluva of a game” and told the Jets’ quarterback to “keep pushing forward.”
Lebron James with some words of encouragement for Zach Wilson:#Jets pic.twitter.com/A8QnNdmAOi
— Optimistic Jets (@OptimisticJets) October 2, 2023
Even in a loss, there is optimism surrounding Wilson and the Jets’ offense. The quarterback played with more confidence and aggressiveness than he has shown in his career, aided by strong play-calling from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Still, Wilson has shown flashes earlier in his career before regressing to his previous play. It has mainly been the story of his career up to this point—flashes of undelivered promise. But if the quarterback can build upon his play from last night and continue to play confidently, the Chiefs and LeBron James will not be the only people praising Wilson.
