As the young man stood at the podium post-game Sunday night fielding questions from the media, his body posture spoke more than any words that he uttered. Zach Wilson verbalized that his fumble late in the game had cost the New York Jest a chance at defeating the heavily favored Kansas City Chiefs, and he was the cause of it all. With pronated shoulders and an entire body slumped over, the body language spoke louder than any words spoken that night to too frequent disappointments in his brief NFL career to date.
The presence of Aaron Rodgers in the building matters. Rodgers has come out and said that he likes Zach Wilson. Perhaps he is talking about Wilson as a football player. Perhaps he is talking about him as a person. Probably Aaron Rodges has never really given Zach Wilson that much thought until recently, as what starting quarterback really pays attention to their back-up? Starting quarterbacks are an elite group in our work force. And any elite quarterback (Rodgers is a 4-time league MVP) is a unicorn.
In Rodgers’ mind, he has always focused on the next game, how best to attack the opponent’s defense, how to win. Aaron Rodgers probably has never given any thought to his replacement if he were to be injured. Perhaps it is why he had such a distaste in his mouth for the Jordan Love selection by the Green Bay Packers several years ago. He hadn’t given any thought to his potential replacement then, and until recently he hasn’t really given Zach Wilson any thought either.
Aaron Rodgers’ dilemma
Aaron Rodgers now has a vested interested in the young man. Rodgers has said that he wants to return from his Achilles tendon tear in time for the playoffs. This season. For that to happen, the Jets have to make the playoffs. For the Jets to make the playoffs, Zach Wilson has to pick up his game. Aaron Rodgers has an acumen, an intelligence for the game of football that few if any have. Certainly not Robert Saleh, the defensive minded Head Coach of the New York Jets. Nor Nathaniel Hackett, the Offensive Coordinator. Rodgers has now been cleared to ambulate around freely and with it comes the ability to be in the locker room.
Zach Wilson
His coaching of Wilson led to a 28 of 39 passes for 245 yards and two touchdown performance. Wilson’s 28 completions marked a career best, and his two passing touchdowns tied his career high. Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Chiefs had a relatively tame 18 of 30 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown and two interception game. For one night, Wilson was better than the league’s MVP. And for one night Zach Wilson vindicated and justified General Manager Joe Douglas’s belief in him by drafting Wilson 2nd overall in the 2021 draft.
Wilson is just a kid (23 years-old) from Utah who doesn’t wear fur coats and sunglasses to a pregame night game. He stands on the walk-up to the stadium giving every fan a high five as he enters. A humble person, Zach Wilson has talent. May he finally get the coaching he deserves to have a chance to succeed in the NFL.
Barry Schustermann
Follow me on Twitter @ BarrySchust
