There’s plenty of work ahead for Zach Wilson and the Jets. But from all indications, the rookie quarterback has shown he’s a student of the game.
Just turn on any football show this week or read the latest team updates. Whenever the topic shifts to the Jets, you’re likely to find out how much game tape Wilson soaks up. He’s apparently a film-room junkie and loves it.
At the end of Wilson’s senior year in college, and already with a good idea of where he was heading next, he studied as much film as he could on the Jets and the San Francisco 49ers. New York, with the 2021 number two overall pick, went with Wilson as their franchise quarterback. The 49ers, holding the number three pick, went with quarterback Trey Lance.
Before the Jets hired Robert Saleh to become their new head coach, he was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers. When Saleh arrived in New York, he added Mike LaFleur as his offensive coordinator. LaFleur was on the 49ers coaching staff as their passing game coordinator.
Wilson made sure to do his homework on both teams. The saying goes that luck just means preparation meeting opportunity. From the looks of things early on with Wilson, the Jets may have finally gotten it right.
You want a franchise quarterback that you have to almost drag out of the film room. That quarterback needs to display excellent awareness and also be willing to embrace adversity.
That’s not to say Sam Darnold didn’t have those qualities when he was here in New York. He’ll get every opportunity to thrive in Carolina with the supporting cast the Jets never gave him.
But, for Wilson, he’s the present and future for the Jets.
“His process is light years ahead of where a normal rookie’s process will be,” Saleh said of Wilson, in training camp.
In his first NFL game, ironically against Carolina, we saw those abovementioned qualities on full display. Firstly, he showed tremendous poise and toughness in the pocket against a strong Carolina defense. The Panthers sacked Wilson six times and racked up 10 quarterback hits on him. Secondly, his preparation no doubt helped him overcome a first-half beatdown and succeed in the second half with a better all-around performance. The 22-year old went from going 6 for 16 for 84 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and a 29.2 passer rating in the first half — to 174 yards, two touchdowns, no turnovers and an outstanding 123.9 passer rating.
“When I talk process, I’m not necessarily talking about how he processes the game when the ball is snapped,” Saleh went on to add about Wilson. “I’m talking about the way he goes about his day-to-day business and the way he studies tape, how he studies the night before, what he’s doing and the things he’s asking the video guys, the information he wants.”
The Jets came up short in their 19-14 loss to the Panthers, but Wilson showed the big-time potential which has fans excited for more.
“He’s an explosive player,” New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said this week. “He’s got a great arm. Live arm. Makes all the throws. Athletic. Like any young player, you know, they gain experience and get better every time they go out there.”
Wilson has some old-school gunslinger in his style of play, there’s good and bad which comes with that. However, his hunger for success is apparent through his work ethic.
Wilson is a dual-threat (can run with the football) quarterback with superb arm strength and pinpoint accuracy. But it wasn’t just those traits which contributed to his meteoric rise in the 2021 NFL Draft class. It’s also the aforementioned qualities he brings to the field.
This Sunday, Wilson will need his A-game when the Jets have their home opener against Belichick and the Patriots.
Image: Getty
