“He’s not a rookie anymore”: Jets HC Robert Saleh believes Zach Wilson will hog the limelight in the coming season
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Zach Wilson is back on the bench as Tim Boyle has been declared the official starter in Week 12. (via Jets)
The New York Jets have had disappointing seasons for the last couple of years, however, when the team drafted rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, Jets fans rejoiced as they saw a ray of hope for the franchise’s future. Wilson had a mediocre rookie season, where he had moments that made spectators go “wow”.
Ahead of the upcoming NFL season, New York Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh spoke about the quarterback and the offseason improvements that he has made. The coach has just increased the hype for Zach Wilson’s second season.
HC Robert Saleh expects Zach Wilson to have a big season this year
Coach Saleh on Saturday via the New York Post said, “Zach looks good, he’s definitely hit the weight room. He looks beefy, in a good way, he’s definitely filled out. He’s still got all his looseness in throwing the football and zip and all that stuff. He looks good.“
Wilson before the draft last year weighed in at around 210 pounds or 95 KGs, he is 6-foot-3, and by adding some more mass onto his frame, he can get better at escaping sacks and throwing the ball.
It’s not just about the physical growth for coach Saleh, Wilson has also become more mature mentally in the early stages of year 2. “He’s got a really good early command of the offense and he’s doing a really good job in regards to that, there’s little things that he’s doing where you’re seeing a little more security. He’s not a rookie, so he’s being a little more vocal. He looks good. He’s getting more comfortable, obviously grasping the offense. He’s never had trouble grasping the offense, but he was a rookie so he goes through it. He’s much further ahead at this point than he was a year ago, for sure.“
Wilson could not perform up to the expectations during his rookie season, but he was no bust either. He threw for 2,334 yards, 9 TDs, and had 11 INTs while running for 185 yards along with four TDs. The QB cannot be blamed entirely for his performance as he did the best with the weapons at his disposal.
Zach Wilson recorded a completion percentage of 55.6 and he played with a knee injury that he sustained midseason as well.
New York has upgraded its offensive line by adding Laken Tomlinson and has added some solid players at the tight-end position through free agency. The team drafted WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall to improve upon their offense.
On the defensive end of things, the Jets have also improved by signing Jordan Whitehead and D.J. Reed before drafting Sauce Gardner with the 4th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The team has done its best to improvise and better its record this season.
Wilson showed up to the Jets’ voluntary offseason program and with an improved physique along with improved IQ, the QB is prepping himself for a big season this year.
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Sumedh Joshi
(2235 Articles Published)