Zach Wilson on Garrett Wilson: 'You can see the talent jump off the page'
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is eager to take the field with rookie receiver Garrett Wilson this season. The Jets offense clearly needed some playmakers after last season, and the Ohio State product certainly fits that role.
Garrett Wilson has already been hard at work with his new team in rookie minicamps and OTAs this offseason. That desire to get better has been evident to his teammates, including Zach Wilson.
“Garrett Wilson is a sponge,” the quarterback said. “He’s soaking it up, he’s learning a bunch. He’s a quick learner. You can see the talent jump off the page. He definitely has the skills, the toolset, and the mindset to be great.”
Just last year, Zach Wilson was in the same position that Garrett Wilson is now. After the Jets selected him with the second overall pick in 2021, the quarterback was given the reigns to the offense right away. He made 13 starts but struggled to find a rhythm as he finished with 2,334 yards passing, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
He knows that growing pains are seemingly inevitable, and can use his own experience to help Garrett Wilson if he needs it.
“With being a rookie – just like me last year – you can’t really show exactly what you got until you can line up correctly and be confident in what you’re doing,” Zach Wilson said. “He’s going through that learning stage still, but he’s a quick learner.”
New York added not only Wilson, but also Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert through the draft. They signed tight end CJ Uzomah in free agency in another attempt to bolster their offensive weapons. On the other side of the ball, the Jets have more talented rookies in cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive end Jermaine Johnson.
Many pundits declared them the winners of the draft for their early selections alone, and it’s hard to argue about the talent they possess. However, we’re still talking about a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010. As promising as the future looks on paper, it’s up to Garrett Wilson and the rest of the rookies to prove the predictions right.