Zach Wilson earned recognition for his performance in Week 14
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is racking up the awards this week.
On ESPN’s broadcast of Monday Night Football, the pre-game show gives out what is called the “HIMMY” award. Essentially, fans get to vote for who had the best performance of the week.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III nominated the Jets’ quarterback and asked fans to help Wilson win the award. To nobody’s surprise, the former BYU quarterback won.
We got the HIMMY AWARDS tonight on Monday Night Countdown.
Who was HIM this week?
I nominated this man, Zach Wilson.
Vote here #jets @nyjets
Love on your guy after all the adversity! https://t.co/6kS3XkKPEX pic.twitter.com/WChWsXj0vC— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 11, 2023
#JetsTwitter we did it…
Your Week 14 HIMMY Winner, @ZachWilson! pic.twitter.com/9KN4zAtseG
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 12, 2023
Wilson is the second Jets player to win the award this season. Punter Thomas Morstead, who is arguably one of the most critical pieces of the team’s success this season, won a “HIMMY” award earlier in the season. The punter took to Twitter to congratulate the quarterback’s accomplishment.
Welcome to the club Z! https://t.co/AG7P63FoAG
— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) December 12, 2023
Later in the week, Wilson was named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week.
Your AFC Offensive Player of the Week… @ZachWilson!! 👏
📰: https://t.co/1Oy38HwhRS pic.twitter.com/waFGXU7U5q
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 13, 2023
Wilson is now the third player to win an in-season award for the Jets. Quincy Williams won AFC Defensive Player of the Month in October, while wide receiver Xavier Gipson won Pepsi’s Rookie of the Week award and was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his game-winning punt return touchdown in Week 1.
The awards are well deserved for Wilson after what was arguably the best performance of his career.
The quarterback was decisive and aggressive, making plays reminiscent of what he did at BYU. He threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns while setting career bests in completion percentage (75%) and passer rating (117.9).
Hell of a job pre snap here by Zach Wilson.
Notices the safety to Garrett Wilson's side drop down meaning GW is 1v1.
Checks Wilson to a fade (oline still all run block because Wilson pulled a fast one) and throws the ball up allowing GW to attack it and makes the reception. pic.twitter.com/dI0fmdqtjz
— Joe Blewett (@Joerb31) December 12, 2023
Zach reads Gipson to the top, immediate pressure allowed by Becton
Zach reverse pivots, gets out of the pocket, could take the easy check down to Bawden but keeps his eyes up and hits GW on the backside dig
Across his body 30+ yards rolling opposite before the S drops down 🤌 pic.twitter.com/qefc3rYbyC
— Joe Blewett (@Joerb31) December 12, 2023
After a flurry of Wilson-centric reports and rumors dominated the news cycle throughout the week, his performance was a phenomenal bounce-back. Between his reported reluctance to play again for the Jets and rumors of a trade after the season, the BYU product had every reason to cave to the pressure and outside noise.
It is a credit to Wilson that, despite the drama, he was able to play at a high level and help the Jets break a five-game losing streak.
With all eyes turning to next week, the question is if Wilson can build upon the Texans game.
There is ample opportunity for Wilson to build off his performance on Sunday. The Miami Dolphins’ defense can be vulnerable at times, and after that, the final leg of the Jets’ schedule features two very winnable games against the Commanders and Patriots. In between, the Jets will have a prime-time challenge against the Browns’ elite defense.
Above all, Wilson needs to be consistent. He has had flashes of success before but failed to truly build off it.
Playing for his future in the NFL, Wilson’s remaining starts could dictate what comes next for him. If he can play similarly to how he did Sunday, the Jets will benefit in the short term, while Wilson will benefit in the long term.
