Zach Reacts: Wilson Maturely Addresses 'Different' Benching

Demoted to third string, Jets' quarterback 'understands' decision

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Nov 22, 2023 2:22 PM EST

In this story:

Zach Wilson handled the situation like a true professional this time around.

Having lost his starting job for the second year in a row, and falling to third on the depth chart, the New York Jets' third-year quarterback addressed his latest demotion when speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Florham Park.

"I understand the situation itself. We need to make changes, things aren't working. We got to score points," said Wilson.

The Jets, who are mired in a three-game losing streak, are scoring at the third-lowest rate (15.0 ppg) in the NFL through 10 games.

"It doesn't matter if you can't score, and I truly understand that. It starts with the quarterback, and it's finding a way to get it done. We're not doing that. If you keep doing the same thing, nothing's gonna change, so I understand," said Wilson, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2021.

Personally, Wilson has contributed only two touchdowns passes over his last six appearances. He has connected on six scoring strikes while being intercepted seven times this season.

"I've dedicated my life to this," said Wilson. "I absolutely love this game, and it [stinks] to come up short. Even though I'm not on the field, I'm gonna do everything I can to keep helping."

Wilson has 12 wins in 32 career games to go with 21 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions. This season, his 6.1 yards per pass average ranks 29th amongst qualified NFL passers and his 73.8 quarterback rating is 30th best.

After being benched for the second straight season, Wilson claimed he isn't experiencing déjà vu.

"It's a lot different. I wasn't doing anything well last year," said Wilson. "It was well deserved. Felt like it was deserved in the locker room, but where I'm at right now, we're truly struggling as an offense. It's hard to point the finger at anybody. It is different, because I know I'm a different player. I know I've come a long way."

After a bumpy road over his first two pro seasons, the 24-year-old Wilson was supposed to have an opportunity to sit back and develop this year as an understudy to future Hall-of-Fame field general Aaron Rodgers.

"When you look at Zach, he has never had an opportunity to watch someone play the position. Just sit back and just watch from the ground up," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh after making the QB change. "That was his opportunity with Aaron, and four plays in, he is back into the starting lineup. He never really got to sit back and absorb and get that redshirt year that you would have love to have given him."

Thrust into the crucible four snaps into the season, Wilson has experienced difficulty operating Nathaniel Hackett's offense. The Jets have been historically unsuccessful on third down attempts and not much better in red zone efficiency. New York's 22.90 percent third down conversion rate is the lowest by an NFL team in the past 45 years. Their 26.09 percent red zone touchdown percentage also ranks dead last on the circuit.