The New York Jets handed Zach Wilson's job to Aaron Rodgers this summer, but he's not pouting about it.
Zach Wilson was the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was supposed to be the New York Jets' franchise quarterback. Two years later, he lost his starting job.
Last season, Wilson claimed he would make "that dude's life hell" if the Jets were to add another quarterback over the summer. Well, the Jets added another quarterback — Aaron Rodgers. Now Wilson is slated as QB2 with the opportunity to learn from a football legend.
Thankfully for Wilson and the Jets, he recognizes the magnitude of the moment and the opportunity in front of him — and he's not moping about his demotion.
Zach Wilson is embracing his new opportunity with the New York Jets
"I can't be bitter," Wilson told Josh Alper of NBC Sports. "I didn't perform."
Wilson went 5-4 in nine starts last season, tossing six touchdowns to seven interceptions and completing 54.5 percent of his passes. The Jets looked competent for the first time in years; now, with Rodgers, New York is expected to leap into the contenders circle.
Wilson meanwhile has to recalibrate. The flashes of talent are there. He has the arm power, the mobility. But his decision-making is all over the place and he hasn't been able to reliably string together good performances. If any mentor can show him how to prepare and how to work toward consistency, it's Rodgers.
Wilson could easily drop passive-aggressive comments and express discontent over the situation. We've seen countless starting QBs lose their job and handle it far worse. But Wilson is showcasing a level of maturity the Jets and their fanbase have to be thrilled about.
He hasn't been good enough, but he's also 23 years old. Wilson still has time to learn and to grow. Rodgers is a master of process. He's also a master of the playbook. Wilson should be able to absorb plenty of beneficial techniques and habits from Rodgers.
The Jets aren't giving up on Wilson. If anything, this is an investment in Wilson's development. Rodgers is 39 years old. Not every QB can make it to 45 like Brady; Rodgers could retire within the next few years. Then it will presumably be Wilson's job again. Especially if he puts his stamp on camp, works rigorously with the second unit, and keeps himself glued to Rodgers in the QB room.
He should treat this like another year at school: learn, learn, learn.
