New York Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson has quite a few reasons to be pleased about his preseason performance against the Green Bay Packers over the weekend. The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft did not only lead his team to a 23-14 win, but he also got some praise from the reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
While watching the game from the sidelines, Rodgers was at one point asked play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan to share his thoughts about Wilson.
“He’s a good young kid. I really like his disposition, his mentality,” said Rodgers. “He can throw the heck out of it [the ball] … [I’m] excited for him.”
So far in the preseason, Wilson has been justifying the Jets’ decision to take him second overall ahead of the likes of Trey Lance and Mac Jones. Against Green Bay, he completed nine passes out of 11 attempted while throwing for 128 yards and two touchdowns. He was also solid in the first preseason game, helping the Jets earn a 12-7 win against their crosstown rivals New York Giants.
It remains to be seen how Wilson will fare against the starting defenses and when the stakes increase. There is also the question of handling the pressure and expectations of quarterbacking a team that didn’t make the playoffs in a decade.
But until then, the Jets’ fans can put behind the 2-14 record in 2020 and be excited about the upcoming season.
