He new york jets they head into the 2023 season with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the organization still hasn’t given up on Zach Wilson, despite their teething problems.
While Rodgers’ arrival in New York could be interpreted by some as a sign of the end of Wilson’s career with the Jets, general manager Joe Douglas apparently believes it’s an opportunity for the young caller of the signal to learn and perhaps, something that should have been done sooner.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers attends an introductory press conference at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on April 26, 2023, in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Elsa/Getty Images)
«I go back and look at a lot of things and things that can be done differently, things that were in our control, things that were out of our control,» Douglas told Pro Football Talk.
JETS’ ZACH WILSON WILL HAVE TO ‘MAKE IT UP’ AND ‘KEEP HIS MOUTH CLOSED’ WITH AARON RODGERS IN TOWN: RADIO GRANDE
«And every situation is different. I feel like in the NFL today, when you take a quarterback in the first round, and you take a high quarterback, time is against you. And you need to see what you’ve got to be able to take a decision on that.» four-year window, three-year window.
Douglas went on to suggest that he thinks Wilson could have benefited from having a veteran quarterback in the room during his rookie season.
Zach Wilson of the New York Jets looks towards the sideline during the Jacksonville Jaguars game at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
«I think going back, it would have been great to have a veteran quarterback like Joe Flacco that first season. But ultimately, we made the decision to jump right in with our youth movement.»
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He continued: «We know there will be some growing pains, but we’re all going to grow together. I think we saw some of the benefits of that last year. But sometimes you don’t take into account the ramifications of playing.» a young quarterback early in his career. So, I think if I had to do it all over again, I probably would have had that veteran presence in the room early for Zach.»
The Jets spent the offseason chasing a veteran quarterback before finally agreeing to a trade with him. Green Bay Packers. But Douglas continues to praise Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, even after acquiring Rodgers, and remains optimistic about what playing behind the four-time league MVP could mean for his career.
«Zach has an incredible ceiling and Zach is connected in the right way in terms of his love of the game, his work ethic, his attention to detail. And so this is a great opportunity for him to follow one of the best everyone’s passers». time on Aaron Rodgers and pick up every little thing I can from him and get better every day,» Douglas told PFT.
Zach Wilson of the New York Jets points at scrimmage against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Before the Rodgers trade became official, head coach Robert Saleh had a similar approach. He told reporters during the league’s annual owners meeting that Wilson would be the backup next season as he continues to develop, adding that he «will be a fixture» on the team for the foreseeable future.
«I really still think zach has a future in this league to be a really good quarterback. I really do,” Saleh said in March. “He has the work ethic. He’s got the mentality and he’s coming here to attack it, but yeah, we’re counting on him to be a fixture here for a while.»