Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson hasn’t been able to inject excitement into the New York Jets franchise just yet. The Jets are 0-2 and their No. 2 overall pick is one of the worst statistical quarterbacks in the NFL. Wilson’s QBR of 22.7 ranks No. 32 in the league while his five interceptions are tied for most in the league. He hasn’t had much help, though, as he’s been sacked a league-leading 10 times through two games.
Things went from bad to worse in Week 2, as Wilson completed 19 of 33 passes for 210 yards and a whopping four interceptions in the 25-6 loss to the New England Patriots. Jets head coach Robert Saleh said on Monday that he’s not too worried about Wilson being able to overcome some rookie mistakes, and that he’s in a good place after what he hopes will be a career-worst game.
“I talked to him real quick, I’m going to talk to him again after these meetings,” Saleh said, via Pro Football Talk. “It was real quick. He’s such a resilient young man, he could probably recite every single play that happened and he’s going to want to talk about it and go through it and learn from it. I know he’s going to get better from this. He’s in a good place.”
Not all four of Wilson’s interceptions were solely his fault, but there were a couple that were just horrible decisions. It’s part of being a rookie, as No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence is tied with Wilson atop the interception leaderboard with five.
Wilson has a special kind of arm that should allow him to be a good player in this league. Part of development for young quarterbacks is learning when you should take shots and when you shouldn’t. What doesn’t help in that learning process is not having great protection, which leaves Wilson to navigate choppy waters by himself in the pocket.
Things don’t get easier in Week 3, as the Jets travel to take on the Denver Broncos this Sunday. They are sitting at 2-0, and have the No. 3 defense in the league.
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