What about Zach?
With the New York Jets“The focus seems entirely on trading the quarterback Aaron Rodgersformer No. 2 draft pick Zach Wilson was something of an afterthought.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed second-string status for Wilson, but his statement came before Green Gang veteran emergency signal caller inker Tim Boyle.
“He’s our No. 2 (quarterback),” Saleh said while speaking to reporters at the NFL League meetings in Arizona on March 27.
Signing Tim Boyle seems to be a calculated move on the part of Jets management. The 29-year-old quarterback gained experience under new Gang Green offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett when the two were together with Green Bay. Packers for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
In addition to understanding Hackett’s plan, Boyle shared the quarterback room with Rodgers for two years.
With Rodgers on the way and Boyle already in town, NFL Network reporter Judy Battista explained what it all means for Wilsonwho was once considered the franchise quarterback not too long ago.
Battista aired his analysis during an April 12 appearance on NFL Network’s “NFL Now.”
Judy Battista, NFL Network reporter
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“It’s a very strange situation,” Battista said. “Not only did they not give up on him, but they made it clear that Zach Wilson would be the backup quarterback this year. The Jets are still talking about his ceiling height.
Saleh offered nothing but compliments regarding speaking about Wilson last month.
“I still think Zach has a future in this league to be a really good quarterback,” Saleh said. “He’s got the work ethic. He’s got the mindset. We’re counting on him to be a fixture for a while.”
Battista, however, seemed unconvinced that Wilson was actually part of the franchise’s long-term plans. After all, the former BYU Cougar presented lackluster work before lose your starting job in 2022.
Wilson averaged fewer than 190 passing yards per game and finished with more touchdown passes than interceptions in just two of nine starts last year.
“This is a very unusual situation,” Battista said. “He was the second overall pick just two years ago, and they have already left him after 22 departures. We know last year was disastrous.
While Battista noted that Wilson hasn’t spoken publicly “since the whole Aaron Rodgers thing blew up,” Saleh says he has made contact with his backup quarterback.
“I have been in contact with Zach since the end of the season. I think he is in a very good mental state. I know he’s been working really hard at home,” Saleh said during his NFL owners meetings press conference.
If Rodgers only plays one season with the Jets, Battista doesn’t envision the team returning to Wilson as their No. 1 option.
“Right now, it’s hard to imagine that Zach Wilson could ever come back and become the Jets’ starting quarterback,” Battista said. “The last few months have been very strange. How does he react to all of this when his football idol, Aaron Rodgers, walks into the building?
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