Where Jets' Zach Wilson Ranks as an NFL Backup Quarterback

Now Aaron Rodgers's understudy, the former No. 2 overall draft pick is on an upward trend

© Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets' head coach Robert Saleh made it clear back in late March at the National Football League Meetings — Zach Wilson is the team's No. 2 quarterback.

"He’s our number two," said Saleh.

Although the Jets had yet to complete a deal for Aaron Rodgers at the time, the organization had already announced its intention to acquire a veteran quarterback to start in 2023. Team brass insisted they weren't giving up on Wilson, however, tabbing him for the backup spot moving forward.

"I really still think Zach has a future in this League to be a really good quarterback," said Saleh. "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."

With Rodgers taking the first-team snaps at OTAs, Wilson has taken on an apprentice role.

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READ Back to Secondary Status for Zach Wilson

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"I think Zach has handled this as good a professional can handle this," said Saleh prior to a May 23 practice during OTAs Phase 3. "I’m excited for him because I think he’s approaching this in a way where I think he can grow from this, with the mindset at which he’s approaching."

Wilson needed to step into the No. 1 spot later that day after Rodgers strained his calf during warmups and the former BYU star looked sharp while doing so.

"That was a good ball from Zach. Zach threw a good ball," said Jets' cornerback DJ Reed referring to a pretty practice play from earlier in the day — a pitch-and-catch from the Jets' backup quarterback to top receiver Garrett Wilson.

Wilson 2 Wilson 🎯@ZachWilson x @GarrettWilson_V pic.twitter.com/gJCDV88OrI

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 23, 2023

In terms of understudies across the NFL, Wilson ranks on the borderline between the middle third and lower third in the 32-team league according to Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano. 

The SI scribe placed Wilson at No. 22 overall in "Ranking All 32 Backup Quarterbacks in the NFL, From Worst to Best."

— 22 — 
Zach Wilson, Jets

Wilson has also had a rough start to his career, but his next opportunity likely won’t come anytime soon after the Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers this offseason. Nonetheless, this might benefit the 2021 No. 2 pick in the long run by restarting his career as he learns from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. New York did him no favors by rushing him to produce the past two seasons: Wilson posted an 8–14 record with 55.2% passing completion, 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. 

— Gilbert Manzano 

With top draft picks of years past such as Zach Wilson and Trey Lance in the mix, the list of backup quarterbacks in 2023 is eclectic@GManzano24 ranks all 32 ↓ https://t.co/Q3U4aVppdh

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 26, 2023

Wilson owns a better ranking than backup signal callers such as Trevor Siemian (Bengals), Kyle Allen (Bills) and Nick Mullens (Vikings). The No. 1 second-string QB on Manzano's list is Carolina Panthers' veteran Andy Dalton.

Over a nine-game sample in 2022, Wilson accounted for a 72.8 quarterback rating that placed him No. 34 overall amongst quarterbacks. He ranked toward the bottom of the NFL with a 36.5 QBR but didn't take enough snaps to qualify for that statistical category.

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