Tom Brady’s name was mentioned when New York Jets coach Robert Saleh stated his expectations for quarterback Zach Wilson this season.
Not that Saleh envisions his second-year quarterback to make a stratospheric leap to replicate the certified GOAT, though:
“He doesn’t need to be Tom Brady this year,” Saleh said Wednesday at minicamp. “If he ends up being that, that’s awesome. That’s not the expectation. The expectation is for him to continue to climb the mountain.”
Wilson struggled during his rookie season. He completed 55.6 percent of his passes, had 11 interceptions and nine touchdowns and a QB rating of 69.7. He also missed four games because of a knee injury.
Saleh conceded Wilson had “a rough rookie year.”
But Wilson did play better late last season, and the 22-year-old has impressed the Jets this offseason:
that @ZachWilson to @TheCDavis84 connection ⚡ pic.twitter.com/bOmInLUlny
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 14, 2022
Wilson is noticeably bigger and stronger – “beefy,” says Saleh – and has a much better command of the offense. His play and decision making in OTAs and minicamp has improved, for the most part.
A perfect throw on a long touchdown pass to wide receiver Jeff Smith during practice Wednesday was another example of what the Jets envisioned when they selected Wilson with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Zach Wilson is really showing off his “beefy” arm at Jets minicamp today. A lot of deep passes right on target, including one to Jeff Smith who was racing down the sidelines.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) June 15, 2022
Saleh believes Wilson is “going to be special.”
While not expecting Wilson to morph into Brady this season, Saleh did say the young quarterback has the makings to be one of the best in the NFL:
“I think Zach’s ceiling is exactly what he thinks his ceiling is,” Saleh said. “There’s no limit to what he thinks he’s capable of. He wants to be the best QB in the league.”
Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said Tuesday that Wilson’s “focus is in the right spot.” He added that the one word he’d use to describe Wilson is “improvement.”
An improved Zach Wilson, especially when it comes to his consistency from down to down, can do wonders for the rebuilding Jets this season. And he doesn’t need to improve to Tom Brady-like levels, either.
A breakout season by Wilson would be welcome.
The Jets would simply take a big step forward.
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