Zach Wilson’s chances of assuming the starting role for the New York Jets appeared rather slim when Aaron Rodgers joined. Rodgers’ extensive 18-year experience surpassed Wilson’s challenging rookie season. However, fortune didn’t favor the former Green Bay Packers as he sustained a season-ending Achilles injury, thus passing the torch to Wilson.
The ninth week marked the conclusion of the Rodgers-less Jets’ impressive three-game winning streak as they suffered a crushing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, putting their starter under the watchful eye of NFL legend Troy Aikman.
Zach Wilson comes under fire after Jets blowout
The Jets were completely vanquished by the visiting Chargers, as they led them to a 27-6 defeat. The night was a nightmare for Zach Wilson, who lost all the fame at an instance where he gathered and worked hard to let his team enjoy four wins this season.
During “Monday Night Football” in Week 9, with a view to slam Wilsin’s prowess, Aikman let the fans recall the scenario where the Jet’s starter missed an easy throw on a second-and-6 on the opening drive.
“First throw of the game, and this is a layup. And you got to hit these layups. He’s got two guys to the boundary, he can pick any one of them and it’s an easy completion and he airmails ’em… He just misses entirely too many of these easy throws for an NFL quarterback.”
Wilson released a beautiful pass over the head of a Chargers defender during the second half of the match. Tyler Conklin grabbed it across the middle for a 33-yard gain. Although the play was stunning, the Jets starter made it too late.
“This is when Zach comes alive, look out!” Aikman did his best to roast Zach after the play, per Larry Brown Sports.
The win in Week 9 could help the Jets tie with the Buffalo Bills for five wins, yet after accepting the loss, they were demoted to the No. 3 position in the AFC East.
Robert Saleh assesses Zach Wilson performance
Week 9 witnessed a great struggling Jets offense, as the whole lineup was pathetic for most of the game and only managed 6 points on 270 yards. Their offensive hero completed 33 of his 49 passes for 263 yards and was held without a passing touchdown.
After Monday night’s loss to the Chargers, the team coach had nothing but to mention Wilson’s play as one of his “bizarre games”.
Though the win over the Giants let the starter enjoy the dominance in fans’ hearts while throwing some blunt words for them, this time he had his coach to back him.
Saleh firmly believes that it was neither the 23-year-old’s best play nor his worst play. Hence, based on just one play, they can’t repudiate his contribution to the team this season when they were in awe after losing Aaron Rodgers in a season-ending injury.
“Every time we had momentum, just a self inflicted wound. Was it his best game? Obviously not. Was it his worst game? No, I’m not going to say it was even close to his worst game. The entire offense, obviously, we all could have been better.”
The floundering offense reveals how much the Jets need Rodgers this season. The player is also vying to make his return happen this season with a swift, headlong recovery process that gained acceptance from his team’s GM.
