QB Zach Wilson at a May 23 OTAs practice — © Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

2023 Jets Country Player Profile: QB Zach Wilson (2)

Meet every player on the New York Jets' 90-man preseason roster through our daily series

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Jun 2, 2023 2:39 PM EDT

In this story:

New York Jets

BYU Cougars

There are 89 days until the National Football League's roster cutdown day and our Jets Country player profile series moves onto the man who wears jersey No. 2, and also happens to be the New York Jets' No. 2 quarterback — Zach Wilson.

The days have seemed brighter for Wilson this offseason.

With four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers now leading the Jets' quarterbacks' room, the No. 2 overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft has been relieved of immense pressure and he seems to be developing his game as a result.

"I think he’s been doing a good job [taking first-team reps]," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh prior to an OTAs Phase 3 practice on May 31. "I feel like his accuracy’s been pretty darn good so far through the first half of OTAs. I think he’s getting more comfortable in the offense."

Following Saleh's comments, Wilson experienced accuracy issues and lacked sharpness during the day's session that was open to media. One week earlier, however, with reporters looking on, Rodgers's understudy stepped in and impressed while practicing with the first string.

Wilson had a tumultuous sophomore season in the NFL, failing to show development, enduring multiple benchings and reportedly "losing the locker room" during it all.

Jets' brass, however, has repeatedly stated that the organization isn't giving up on their former top pick.

"Obviously, the first two years haven’t played out the way that anybody’s hoped, but we still feel like there’s a very high ceiling with Zach," said general manager Joe Douglas at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

After the 2022 rollercoaster ride, Wilson was relegated to backup duty for 2023 early in the offseason as the Jets openly pursued a veteran starter who could steady the ship.

"He’s our number two," said Saleh at the NFL Owners' Meetings in late March, one month before the Rodgers trade was completed. "I really still think Zach has a future in this League to be a really good quarterback. I really do. He has the work ethic. He has the mindset, and he’s coming in here to attack it, but yeah, we’re counting on him to be a fixture here for a while."

Since Rodgers has arrived, Wilson has played the understudy role in a professional manner.

"He’s been a sponge," said Saleh. "I think Zach has handled this as good a professional can handle this. I’m excited for him because I think he’s approaching this in a way where I think he can grow from this."

Meanwhile, Rodgers has been a mentor to the entire QB group.

"Obviously, have a long history with Nathaniel [Hackett], so he gives me a lot of latitude to speak up in meetings," said Rodgers on May 23. "Just the opportunity to help out Zach [Wilson] and Tim [Boyle] and Chris [Streveler] in the room is a lot of fun."

Zach Wilson, Quarterback

Number: 2
Current Status: Second String
How/When Acquired: Drafted / 2021 Round 1 (No. 2 overall)
2022 Final Stats: 9 GS, 54.5 comp pct, 1,688 pass yards, 6 TD, 7 INT, 36.5 QBR

Latest Player News

Where Jets' Zach Wilson Ranks as an NFL Backup Quarterback
Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano placed Wilson at No. 22 overall while "Ranking All 32 Backup Quarterbacks in the NFL, From Worst to Best."

NFL Network Reporter Tackles Topic of Zach Wilson's Future
Judy Battista addressed Wilson's status in the midst of the Aaron Rodgers' trade rumors. “This is a very unusual situation,” said the reporter during an April 12 edition of "NFL Now."

Back to Secondary Status for Zach Wilson
Head coach Robert Saleh declared the 2021 first-round draft pick to be the team's No. 2 quarterback moving forward into 2023. He made the comments at the NFL Owners' Meetings in late March, prior to the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers.