Whenever a new NFL season is about to begin, all the eyes are on the toppicks from the Draft class, and this year is not the exception. The New York Jets come from a terrible campaign but are now more optimisticwith No. 2 pick Zach Wilson.
The rookie quarterback is one of the many interesting players in his position from the last draft but he already proved in his preseason appearanceswhy he got one of the highest selections.
Last weekend against the Green Bay Packers,Wilson threw an impressive 128 yards to go 9-11 with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and even Aaron Rodgers showed recognition to the Jets’ young sensation.
Aaron Rodgers praisesJets rookie QB Zach Wilson
Wilson came from a quieter performance in preseason Week 1 game against the New York Giants, but then he played a pivotal role in the Jets’23-14 win over the Packers. Two aerial touchdowns and the ability to throw in the pocket were some of the weapons the rookie QB has shown last Saturday.
Aaron Rodgers didn’t step into the field for the game, so he took time for a short interview during the game where he praised Zach Wilson: “He’s a young kid. I really like his disposition, his mentality. Hecan throw the heck out of it. He had a really nice throw when he kind ofbroke the pocket, moved to his right, and threw it down the right sideline. That’s the kind of stuff he’s gonna need to do.”
Zach Wilson about Aaron Rodgers: “I really just appreciate him as a man”
In the previous week, Rodgers and Wilson got to know each other a little bit more during the Jets and Packers joint practices, and they already seem to admire one another.“I really just appreciate him as a man,” Wilson said in the postgame press conference.
“He’s an awesome guy. He definitely doesn’t have to come up to me and say anything. I don’t expect him to, but it means the world to me that he’s able to come up to me, whatever advice it is. It means a lot to me that he’s just able to reach out.”
There’s definitelya long way to go for Wilson, but to receive the tips and praise from such a high-profile personality in the game is obviously a huge boost to his confidence. He mightneed time, but the Jets are hopefulthey made the right call on picking him.