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Jets' Top Pick Zach Wilson Absent, Unsigned As Training Camp Begins

New York Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson did not report to training camp as he remains unsigned by the team after being drafted with the No. 2 overall pick

Max Goodman

New York Jets

The Jets solved their quarterback conundrum this offseason, bringing in their signal-caller of the future in No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson. And yet, as training camp kicks off on Tuesday, the following names were the only two quarterbacks to report to the team's facility.

James Morgan and Mike White.

Wilson was absent on Tuesday as head coach Robert Saleh addressed the media for the first time. The rookie remains unsigned, the final member of New York's 2021 draft class that has yet to agree to a deal this offseason.

"With regards to Zack, Joe [Douglas is] working on it here this morning. And hopefully that gets done," Saleh told reporters. 

Saleh made it clear that he isn't particularly worried about Wilson's status, assuring that Douglas—New York's general manager—has a "great handle" on the situation. In the meantime, however, Wilson's absence opens the door for those other two quarterbacks to get plenty of reps early on.

"As it is with every player on this roster, when one person misses. another person has to take over those reps," Saleh explained. "So it's a challenge just in terms of trying to maintain the wear and tear on all these individual players. But for the individual, that's where the challenge becomes in terms of making up those reps and everybody knows how important it is to me and our team with regards to reps and practice and process and every moment you miss that process."

Wilson won't be the only one that isn't suiting up as training camp gets underway. Four players (including Quinnen Williams) will begin this stage of the offseason on the PUP list while three more (like Marcus Maye) are on the NFI list. 

Jets Start Training Camp With Several Key Contributors Sidelined Due to Injuries

Wilson appears to be training on his own in California in the meantime. The QB posted a photo to his Instagram story on Monday, getting some work in while his agent and the Jets work through contract negotiations.

Even if he's staying in shape and working to improve ahead of his rookie season, it's unclear if Wilson will be present for New York's first practice on Wednesday. Since the team chose not to sign a veteran this offseason, that leaves Morgan and White as the only two quarterbacks under contract.

It's a similar situation to 2018 when first-rounder Sam Darnold missed three days of training camp practices as both sides haggled over his rookie contract. 

As much as Saleh emphasized the challenges of missing time at this point in the season, the head coach trusts that his rookie quarterback will persevere once he does arrive.

"I've got a lot of faith in Zach," Saleh said."He's incredibly intelligent. He's got a tremendous drive. So when he does get here, I know that somehow, someway he'll make up for it."

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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