Jets’ Wilson Unfazed by Demotion, Denies Feeling Scapegoated
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has brushed off suggestions that his recent demotion to third-string is a result of being made a scapegoat. Despite losing his starting position, Wilson remains adamant that he was not unfairly targeted for the team’s lackluster performance.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Wilson emphasized that the main objective of a quarterback is to score points. Regardless of what I’m doing, my job as a quarterback is to help us score points. I can sit here and say I’ve had a bunch of growth and tremendous whatever this year, but if you’re not scoring touchdowns, it doesn’t matter, he explained.
This is the second time in his short NFL career that Wilson has been benched by Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Taking over the reins as the starting quarterback is Tim Boyle, while Trevor Siemian assumes the backup role. It is worth noting that neither Boyle nor Siemian were on the active roster in the team’s season opener.
It was hoped that Wilson’s development would receive a significant boost from learning under the guidance of Aaron Rodgers, who the Jets traded for in the 2022 season. However, the anticipated progress has not materialized, and the Jets’ offense has seemingly regressed.
Reflecting on his current demotion compared to last year’s, Wilson acknowledged that there are noticeable differences. He admitted that his struggles in the past warranted a change, but he believes the current offensive struggles are not solely his fault. It’s hard to point the finger at anybody. I hope we can figure things out and I’ll take that if that’s the issue, Wilson expressed, emphasizing his commitment to the team’s success.
Consistency has been a recurring issue for Wilson throughout the season. He ranks low among qualified quarterbacks in various statistical categories, including completion percentage, Total QBR, and yards per attempt. Despite these challenges, Wilson received praise from his mentor, Aaron Rodgers, who appeared on the Pat McAfee Show. Rodgers expressed regret over being unable to play and suggested that Wilson could benefit from observing his process.
As for Rodgers himself, he is eager to return to the field after recovering from his Achilles injury. He acknowledges the Jets’ current record but remains optimistic about their chances to turn things around. There’s been some 4-6 teams that have made runs over the years, Rodgers highlighted, recalling his previous experiences in Green Bay when the team made a remarkable eight-game winning streak after a slow start.
In conclusion, Zach Wilson remains unfazed by his demotion, asserting that he does not feel scapegoated. Despite the setbacks, both Wilson and the Jets are determined to work through their challenges and strive for improvement.
