At the very beginning of the 2023 NFL season, disaster struck for Aaron Rodgers as he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. With the legendary quarterback sidelined, the spotlight automatically shifted to the young and promising Zach Wilson. However, his performances, since taking over in the absence of Rodgers, do not seem enough to get support from the audience.
This also includes the 1985 NFL Hall of Famer who clearly has come forth with more scrutiny surrounding the young QB amidst a tough spell for the New York Jets. Now, as the speculations concerning the Jets’ probable choice for Rodgers’ replacement soar high, Wilson’s intentions are once again put under the microscope of inspection.
Is Zach Wison the worthy replacement?
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Zach Wilson’s struggles seem to persist, as he appears to have absorbed little from his offseason spent shadowing Rodgers. While he possesses a cannon for an arm and impressive mobility, his field of vision has come under strong scrutiny. A Week 2 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys showcased this flaw, with a three-interception game and a dismal 38.1% passer rating.
The 80-year-old Hall of Famer Joe Namath weighed in about the same as well, questioning Wilson’s decision-making on the field. With him seen fumbling with some crucial passes today, the NFL legend, per the tweet, questioned, “He’s making choices that are not intuitive to the quarterback position.”
I’m starting to wonder if Zach’s playing like he’s being coached. He’s making choices that are not intuitive to the quarterback position.
— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) September 24, 2023
The comparisons between Wilson and Rodgers now seem premature, leaving Jets’ fans wondering if their young signal-caller can rise to the challenge. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Wilson to prove that he can indeed be the quarterback the Jets had hoped for when they drafted him second overall in 2021.
Zach Wilson has the potential opportunity to silence the doubts and prove that he can be the franchise quarterback the New York Jets have been searching for. However, all expectations remain on his continued play against the New England Patriots and the other upcoming clashes.
What will the Jet’s next move be?
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The New York Jets, currently, find themselves in a complex situation. Even though some positivity can be found in the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning to New York and mentoring Zach Wilson to get better. The same cannot be said for his gameplay.
The possibility of Rodgers returning to play this season, potentially in the playoffs, is most evidently shrouded in that extra layer of uncertainty. While the chance of Kirk Cousins’ entry to Jets’ main team is available, it is not an option that has been explored by the team yet. Moreover, no confirmation regarding the replacement of Zach Wilson has been presented.
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This leaves room for Wilson’s assessment, especially if Rodgers takes on the role of a mentor once again. Additionally, given today’s performance, if the New York Jets can afford to wait for his development remains the question to be answered. Right now, that’s not looking easy. So, the Jets have some big choices to make in the coming days.