Since returning from injury in Week 12, rookie quarterback Zach Wilson has shown growth for the Jets.
Wilson has started the last five games for Gang Green and won two of those starts. What’s stood out most during this stretch is his improved decision making. Wilson has scored seven touchdowns while turning the ball over just three times. He’s had zero interceptions in his last three starts.
In their Week 16 win over the Jaguars, Wilson had 91 rushing yards, the most by a Jets QB in franchise history. His 52-yard rushing touchdown, the longest run by a QB in franchise history, opened eyes around the league.
Poise in the pocket and better decision-making have been two areas Wilson has improved since returning to the field. This is a huge positive for the Jets as they head into year two under head coach Robert Saleh.
“Zach’s decision making has been fantastic,” Saleh said of Wilson’s progression. “His off-schedule stuff, he’s starting to look natural…He’s coming along, he’s getting more comfortable, he’s calmer back there. Like I said, he’s in a great headspace and it’s going to be fun to watch him continue to grow.”
This doesn’t mean the Jets now have their own Michael Vick, Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson out there. But the threat of extending a play with mobility, and knowing when to use it, point toward another option their young franchise quarterback brings to the table.
The Jets are not making the playoffs this season, however, Wilson’s development rightfully remains a top priority. This weekend, he’ll have his hands full when Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, come to MetLife Stadium. The Bucs, with a defense ranked third in the NFL against the run, easily present Wilson’s toughest challenge of his rookie season.
