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Former NFL QB Provides Optimism For Jets’ Zach Wilson

Originally posted on NFL Analysis Network
By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated 9/26/23

There isn’t a whole lot to like about New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson right now.

Since being taken by the Jets with the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson has been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster.

New York made the decision to move away from Wilson this past offseason, swinging a trade with the Green Bay Packers for future Hall-of-Fame signal-caller Aaron Rodgers.

However, Rodgers tore his Achilles on the Jets’ first offensive series of the season, forcing Wilson back under center.

While Wilson led Gang Green to a surprising upset win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, he has plummeted back to earth over the last two games, most recently going 18-for-36 with 157 yards in his club’s Week 3 loss to the New England Patriots.

Still, in spite of how poorly Wilson has played, former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky is not ready to give up on the BYU product just yet.

"I think Zach Wilson is incredibly scared to make a mistake right now..

I don't think he's gonna become an All-Pro but I do think this Jets team can win with him"@danorlovsky7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xqEMmArhSP
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 25, 2023

You’re probably going to have a hard time getting any Jets fans to agree with Orlovsky here.

In the midst of seven three-and-outs during New York’s loss to the Patriots, Jets fans rained boos upon Wilson, who currently sports a passer rating of just 57 through the first three weeks of 2023. He has thrown for 467 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions and is completing just 52.4 percent of his passes.

In 25 games and 24 starts over the first three years of his NFL career, Wilson has thrown more picks (22) than touchdowns (17) and lays claim to an ugly lifetime passer rating of 69.2.

As a result of Zach Wilson’s poor performance, rumors have swirled about the Jets potentially making a trade for a veteran quarterback to salvage their season. Names like Kirk Cousins and Gardner Minshew have been mentioned as possibilities for the team, although no legitimate trade rumors have surfaced just yet.

The Jets are 1-2 and will host the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.

This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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