The New York Jets have a decision to make at the quarterback position this offseason, particularly surrounding Zach Wilson.
Wilson’s struggles through the first two years of his NFL career have been well documented. The former second-overall pick has been benched multiple times, has been hurt, and has struggled on the field. His completion percentage of 55% is one of the lowest for a young quarterback in recorded history, and the Jets have faltered around him in the wake of Wilson’s deficiencies.
It doesn’t come as a surprise to the quarterback or to the fans that New York will be searching for a veteran quarterback this offseason. And should that happen, the Jets’ current quarterback is ready to compete against whoever it is.
“I’m going to make that dude’s life hell in practice every single day.” Zach Wilson told reporters Monday afternoon. “I’m going to go out there and do my best to just show the coaches I deserve to be there. It’s not in a negative way, it’s in a positive way, it’s making everyone else better.”
The Jets will have their pick of a deep quarterback free agency class should they decide to move on from Wilson. Derek Carr and Jimmy Garappolo are expected to be free agents this offseason with others like Lamar Jackson potentially on the trade block.
The comments made by the high-profile quarterback also show a difference in maturity from the former BYU product. In the Jets’ 10-3 loss to New England this season, Wilson appeared to deflect blame saying he didn’t believe the offense let the defense down in the loss.
New York then benched their 2021 second-overall pick following the loss even though head coach Robert Saleh declined to say it was about the quarterback’s postgame comments.
Saleh has defended Wilson though since his benching saying things like “we haven’t seen the last of Zach Wilson” or “Through hell or high water, we’re going to figure how to get him to where we know he can be
That won’t stop New York from looking to upgrade at the quarterback position though. And should New York make a move for the high-end talent that could become available, their current quarterback appears ready to compete.
