Aaron Rodgers shares confidence in Zach Wilson as Jets starting quarterback
With Aaron Rodgers out for the 2023 season after suffering a torn Achilles in the 22-16 Week 1 victory over the Buffalo Bills Monday, it’s officially the Zach Wilson show once again in New York.
Wilson, the Jets’ 2021 second overall pick, has started 22 games over the past two seasons, throwing for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The Jets benched Wilson this past season after poor play, prompting them to acquire Rodgers from the Packers. He completed 14-of-21 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the victory over Buffalo.
Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show” Friday, Rodgers said he’s confident in Wilson’s ability to lead the Jets under center this season.
“I’m very confident in Zach and I think he’s confident in himself, which is the most important thing. It was an important offseason for him. Very important I think to get his confidence back and to be able to work on some fundamental things that I think you’ve seen show up in the preseason and obviously the other night. I was hoping he could have a couple of years to sit back and have no pressure on him and relax. But that’s how life goes sometimes. Throws you some curveballs. Neither of us thought that’s what was going to happen… But I’m excited for him. He’s a great kid.”
Jets’ goals remain the same without Aaron Rodgers
It’s another opportunity for Wilson to prove his worth, although as Rodgers said, it comes a couple years ahead of schedule. With a Super Bowl roster around him, the Jets will need Wilson to just play smart football to give them a chance every Sunday. That starts with Week 2 in Dallas, and a trip to play the Cowboys, who recorded a 40-0 shutout of the New York Giants in Week 1.
Zach Wilson’s go-to target, Garett Wilson, voiced his support for the 24-year-old signal-caller Thursday, saying the goals of the team have not changed.
“Just because of the effect that can have on people,” Garrett Wilson said. “Belief, people believing in you, people that you get to work with every day believing in you. Sometimes it can seem like the world is against you, but it’s never really the case. We always got our guy’s back.
“It can be tough playing ball, especially playing quarterback, in this part of the world. Because of that, and all the other things, we always want to make sure we got our brother’s back. If he doesn’t know that, then I’m doing my job wrong. I want to make sure I give him all the empowerment in the world, and I know all the other guys feel the same about it.”