It’s not a matter of if but rather who the New York Jets will add at the quarterback position this offseason.
Zach Wilson is the only passer under contract for 2023 so the team will have to add multiple bodies over the next couple of months. The former No. 2 overall pick was asked how he would react if the team adds a veteran quarterback this offseason:
“Yeah, I’m going to make that dude’s life hell in practice every day. I’m going to go out there and do my best to just show the coaches that I deserve to be there. It’s not in a negative way, it’s a positive way, it’s making everybody else better hopefully.”
Jets GM Joe Douglas Is Going to Give up on Zach Wilson
While Wilson is the only quarterback under contract for next season that doesn’t necessarily guarantee that he will be on the roster in 2023.
However, there has been a theme echoed from the top of the Jets organization down that they don’t plan on giving up on Wilson.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas spoke on Monday, January 9 at his end-of-season presser.
In his opening remarks, he sent a clear message on how the organization feels about the future of Wilson in a Gang Green uniform:
“Philosophically we have never been a team that has given up on talent early. We all know the talent that Zach possesses. We are going to work with Zach, develop Zach, and we’re going to do everything we can to ultimately help Zach reach his full potential here.”
That is the same message that head coach Robert Saleh echoed over the last few weeks. Last week he said that they are committed to Wilson “through hell or high water.”
Zach Wilson Is Open to Competing for the Jets QB1 Job
In two seasons Wilson hasn’t been very good on the field. During his 22-game sample size, the former BYU product has been unable to deliver consistent results:
- 55.2 percent completion percentage
- 15 passing touchdowns to 18 interceptions
- 4,022 passing yards
Although it is worth noting he has gotten a lot better with the media. After being maligned earlier in the year for poor accountability Wilson has changed his tune in recent appearances.
He was asked during media availability on Monday, January 9 if he considers himself the starting quarterback heading into next year.
“It is out of my control. For me it’s the same mindset, it doesn’t matter. Whether I go in there as the No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 I’m going to work to prove that I should be and that’s going to be the mindset.”
If you read the tea leaves, Wilson is likely going to be back on the roster as the backup or third string. It will all depend on who the Jets are able to acquire in the quarterback market this offseason.
Normally if quarterbacks aren’t ready you let them sit at the beginning of their careers until they are ready. In this case, Wilson will have played, learn from the bench, and hopefully be released from his cryogenically frozen chamber in the future.
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Zach Wilson Sends Strong Message to Jets About Adding a QB in 2023