Imagine being proclaimed the following huge factor by a franchise solely to be demoted after two seasons.
That’s exactly what Jets quarterback Zach Wilson goes by way of this season with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers.
“Of course, I would like to be the guy,” Wilson mentioned on Friday. “You’re not at all times joyful about that. But I’m extraordinarily psyched that out of any quarterback we may have introduced in, it was him.
“I had been speaking to him this offseason. I used to be with him earlier this offseason earlier than any of this was being talked about. We acquired to spend a while collectively. It was actually cool to see the way it all went collectively.
“I have to look at kind of where I’m at as a quarterback and look to be the best that I can be and I do think this can be a big part of it. What he brings to the table, what Coach Hack [Nathaniel Hackett] and [Todd] Downing bring to the table, can be really good for me in my development and this offense.”
Just two years in the past, the Jets and head coach Robert Saleh and basic supervisor Joe Douglas drafted Wilson out of BYU with the second total choose with the hopes of him being their franchise QB. After a rocky rookie season marked by inconsistent play, Gang Green hoped Wilson would ascend in 2022. However, Wilson by no means acquired on monitor following a bone bruise and torn meniscus in his proper knee through the preseason.
When he did return after lacking the primary three video games of the 12 months, the Jets had been having group success, however individually Wilson was not. Despite some ugly numbers, Saleh continued to stay by Wilson till he failed to simply accept accountability for the Jets’ embarrassing 10-3 loss to the Patriots final November, by which he accomplished 9 of twenty-two passes for 78 yards.
Saleh lastly benched Wilson, however he later can be compelled again into motion following Mike White’s rib harm. Another dismal efficiency — 9 of 18 for 92 yards and an INT in a 19-3 loss in opposition to the Jaguars in December — despatched Wilson to the inactive checklist.
After a 7-10 season, the Jets wished an improve on the quarterback place. In the ultimate media availability of the season, Wilson had an concept the Jets would usher in competitors as he famously mentioned, “I’m going to make that dude’s life hell in practice every day.”
After flirting with the potential for signing Derek Carr, the Jets determined to pivot to Rodgers.
“They were extremely open about everything,” Wilson mentioned. “I can’t be bitter about the situation, I didn’t perform well and you have to take situations as they come.”
During OTAs this spring, Wilson had the chance to work with the first-team offense on a number of events. Following Rodgers’ calf pressure, Wilson performed many of the snaps throughout 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills with some success. While it’s a small pattern measurement with out pads, Wilson was extra correct than he was a season in the past and he would verify the ball down when receivers weren’t opened down the sphere.
“He’s a very, very talented player and I think for him, his eyes are wide open right now,” Hackett mentioned. “He’s acquired a lot that he’s needed to be taught. It’s a brand new system.
“I think a lot of people don’t understand that when you go two years, you come from college, go two years in one system, then transition into another system, it’s ground zero for him, and it’s so new. He’s very talented, he’s a pleasure to work with. He’s got a great smile on his face, and I mean, he can sling the ball over the field and we’re just going to slowly get that system to him.”
Since Rodgers arrived in Florham Park, Wilson has been like a sponge.
Wilson grew up idolizing Rodgers. Now not solely does he get to observe Rodgers on a each day bases and be taught from him, however the two’s friendship has additionally grown since they first met one another throughout joint practices in Green Bay in 2021.
“He’s been incredible,” Rodgers mentioned. “He hasn’t made my life hell every day. He’s been a joy to work with and I give him so much credit because it’s a tough situation what he went through.”
“I think we stripped down some of his fundamentals and I think you’ve seen him throw the ball on time and make accurate throws and good decisions. I love it, sometimes the best thing to happen is like what happened.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com