Pressure Mounted on Zach Wilson as Colin Kaepernick Claims to Counter Patrick Mahomes’ Threat in Desperate Letter to Jets

After the Jets’ head coach head coach Robert Saleh expressed his commitment to the 24-year-old irrespective of Zach Wilson’s inconsistent play, making it clear that the role for the starting quarterback was already taken, free agent Colin Kaepernick, took a shot at filling an alternative spot apart from that of the first back up. 

The Jets have been in a state of despair following losing their prised new acquisition over this offseason, Aaron Rodgers to an Achilles injury early in Week 1, further reducing their chances of gaining a place at this year’s playoffs. The Jet’s second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, “crazy gifted” Wilson has quickly turned into a “crazy disappointment”. Does Kaepernick’s claiming to provide “the advantage of getting a truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks it will face when in weeks 4,” add more pressure on the Jet’s new starting QB?

William’s failed to be Jet’s Mahomes 

Many had hoped for the 24-year-old second overall pick for the Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft to do for the Jets what Patrick Mahomes has done for the Kansas City Chiefs since he sparked similar flairs. He displayed a bold attitude, taking chances with his throws, prolonging plays with his mobility, distributing the ball widely across the field, and executing passes from unconventional positions. However, his brief career has been plagued by turnovers, lackluster displays, and a notable absence of productivity and success, putting the Jets in the undesirable position of potentially enduring a 13th consecutive season without a playoff berth.

In a total of 22 games played in 2021 and 2022, Wilson accumulated 3,922 passing yards with a completion rate of 55.2%. Over this period, he threw 15 touchdowns and had 18 interceptions. To put it in perspective, Mahomes had only 5 out of 83 games in his career with a completion rate below 55.2%, amassing 7,461 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in his first 22 career starts. William has clearly fallen short of filling in not only the larger shoes of Aaron Rodgers but also living up to the expectations of displaying a Mahomes-like effect offensively. 

With the Jets desperately looking for their Mahomes candidate, a desperate letter from a former San Francisco 49ers quarterback reaches general manager Joe Douglas.

Kaepernick’s “contingency plan” for the Jets

Kaepernick has been without an NFL franchise since 2016, following his controversial demonstration of protest against racism and police brutality by kneeling through the national anthem. Despite his absence from the NFL, he has been consistent in his efforts to find his way back into the game after suing the organization for discrimination in 2017. 

In a recent letter to the Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas, Kaepernick voiced his interest  in filling up a spot other than that of the back-up or the starting QB position, “As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me.” 

“I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad,” he continued, stating points of advantages he brought to the table which included the advantage of  “getting a truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks” the team is scheduled to face in Week 4,5, and 6. And further, allow the franchise to “take a real look” at his abilities on the field 

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Though many have called this move as desperate,  Kaepernick promises, “dedication and passion” in filling in his desired spot “as if it were the QB1 position.” With the Jets gearing up to face the Chiefs in their next matchup following their 15-10 defeat to the Patriots, do you think Wilson will be able to match up with Mahomes? Let us know in the comments section below. 

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