Zach Wilson has another strong showing in Jets preseason victory over Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With Aaron Rodgers not playing for the second consecutive week, Zach Wilson looked to build on his play during the Hall of Fame game as the Jets visited the Panthers Saturday in their second preseason game.

The third-year quarterback did that and then some as he one-upped his performance in the Jets’ 27-0 victory against the Panthers.

Wilson completed 14 of 20 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown while completing 70% of his throws. He also had a quarterback rating of 102.7. Wilson’s highlight throw was a second-quarter play-action pass to Kenny Yeboah for a two-yard touchdown. That touchdown pass was set up by a 27-yard run by Israel Abanikanda.

“I felt like I was comfortable,” Wilson said. “Some good, and some things I want to keep on working on.

“Hard to say overall because us quarterbacks think about individual plays and we want to go back and watch the film. Some good and some things I can’t wait to watch and try and fix.”

Tim Boyle, who entered the game after halftime completed 9 of 10 passes for 84 yards with two touchdown passes to EJ Jenkins and Zack Kuntz and an interception.

Just like a week ago, Wilson had keen decision-making as he didn’t turn the ball over for the second consecutive week. During his first two seasons in the league, Wilson threw 18 interceptions while completing 55.2% of his passes.

After Rodgers’ arrival and his demotion to backup quarterback, the Jets have considered training camp and the preseason as a reset for Wilson. Beginning in OTAs and into training camp, the Jets have returned to basics with Wilson’s fundamentals as he continues learning Nathaniel Hackett’s offense.

So far, Wilson has looked like a different quarterback with Rodgers and Hackett’s tutorage than the one who began his career back in 2021 against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, the same building he played in on Saturday.

“I thought he was poised, running the offense,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “I thought he did a really nice job, we ran the ball really well. We had three scoring drives, so he was efficient.

“That last drive at the end of the half, he controlled the offense in late situation and make sure we finished the half. I thought they did a really, really good job in that situation. I’m really pumped for him as he is taking the next steps.”

Wilson began the game’s opening drive 4 for 4 for 41 yards as he made smart decisions by not forcing the ball into coverage. But a poor pass to Tyler Conklin ended the drive as the Jets settled for a 47-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal.

Following three consecutive punts by the Jets offense, Wilson helped the team cross the 50 and got into Panthers territory after passes to Israel Abanikanda and Jeremy Ruckert. However, the Jets had to settle for a 45-yard field goal from Zuerlein, making it 6-0 late in the second quarter.

Wilson followed that drive up with an eight-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a Yeboah wide-open touchdown as he froze the Panthers defense.

Just like Wilson, Mekhi Becton looked to have a strong showing against the Panthers as he entered the game with the second offensive line early in the second quarter. But unlike last week, when he played only seven snaps, Becton allowed a big play on third down that forced the Jets to punt.

On third-and-9, Wilson was sacked after Panthers defensive tackle Amare Barno split Becton and Trystan Colon as Barno registered a 15-yard sack to end the drive. But after that, Becton was solid as he helped the Jets rush for 107 yards on the ground.

Halfway through the third quarter, Saleh shook Becton’s hand as the tackle walked to the sideline to conclude his day at left tackle.

Speaking of the Jets’ ground game, Abanikanda finished with 56 rushing yards while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 31 yards.

During the Hall of Fame Game against the Browns, Abanikanda scored on a 10-yard touchdown play.

“I’m feeling great, just keep working,” Abanikanda said. “My teammates especially the running back group, we just keep progressing and working on the things we gotta work on.

“Today, I felt good.”

The Jets starting offensive line against the Panthers included two starters in center Connor McGovern and left guard Laken Tomlinson. Gang Green also started Wes Schweitzer at right guard, who could potentially be a candidate to start if the Jets decide to move Alijah Vera-Tucker to right tackle.

Outside of Wilson, the Jets defensive line was the star of Saturday’s game. Even without their starters, Gang Green’s defensive line was active as they created a ton of pressure on Young and backup Matt Corral.

Quinton Jefferson and Will McDonald, Jermaine Johnson and Bryce Huff all registered sacks. Johnson also had multiple pressures during the first half. Newly signed Jets player Bruce Hector also got into the act as he had a strip-sack and recovery on Corral.

Gang Green held Carolina to 165 total yards as the Panthers only had 10 first downs the entire game.

The Jets’ defensive line is their team’s most robust unit, and they’ve certainly shown that during the first two preseason games. Even without Quinnen Williams, Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers, Johnson and McDonald have consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks as they recorded three sacks against the Panther’s first-team offensive line.

This is excellent news for the Jets, as with Rodgers this year, the team expects to have a lot of leads late into games. That will allow the team to pin their ears back and go after quarterbacks to generate turnovers.

“There’s high expectations, high standards,” Johnson said. “Set the tone and as you saw today, we did that.”