Zach Wilson on Joe Namath’s criticism: ‘We gotta do everything we can do to try and prove him wrong’
NEW YORK — The last two weeks have been challenging for Zach Wilson on and off the field.
In between the white lines, Wilson has struggled through one of the most challenging stretches of his career. Away from the field, he has dealt with critics from fans on social media to even legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath. Earlier this week, the former Super Bowl III winner called Wilson’s play “awful.”
“He’s passionate, he’s obviously one of the greats” Wilson said about Namath. “As an offense, we gotta do everything we can do to try and prove him wrong.
“Keep doing what we can and improve. I think the guys are feeling great and I think the guys are feeling very optimistic. We all believe in each other and I’m excited for this week.
“Obviously, Joe was an unbelievable player, but this locker room is very tight knit and we are working to get better. I’m working to get better and I know I need to improve and I promise I’m doing everything I can to try and get better. The focus is to rely on each other in this locker room and lean on each other because that’s all we got at the end of the day.”
To say Wilson needs to improve his play is an understatement. Wilson has been dreadful during the three games since Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles injury in Week 1.
He has thrown for 467 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 52.4% of his passes. Wilson also has a quarterback rating of 57.
In the game against the Patriots, Wilson completed 18 of 36 passes for 157 yards. With Wilson under center last Sunday, the Jets offense registered seven three-and-outs. Fans at MetLife Stadium were so disgusted by his play they booed Wilson constantly.
Wilson’s stats are lower than his first two seasons in the league, in which he averaged 2,011 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions from 2021-22. Jets coaches and players have talked about how much Wilson has improved from his play on the field during practices to his footwork and mechanics, but that hasn’t shown up during games.
What has changed is Wilson’s confidence in the pocket, as he has held the ball too long in games against the Cowboys and the Patriots. For example, during the fourth quarter, down 13-10, Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon sacked Wilson in the end zone for a safety on a pass that should’ve left his hands quickly to avoid giving New England two points.
Wilson was also sacked two other times and he also missed plenty of open receivers down the field. The only time Wilson guided the Jets down the field for a touchdown was when the team demonstrated an uptempo style offense on a 13-play, 87-yard drive that ended with fullback Nick Bawden scoring a touchdown.
The lack of a rushing attack during the last two games has also hurt Wilson and the Jets offense. The Jets averaged just 51 yards per game in losses to the Cowboys and the Patriots.
“I think we as a group on offense have to do better,” Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. “It’s all of us. I think that we put our entire offense into some really bad situations.
“Doesn’t matter who’s back there at quarterback, who’s playing, when you’re behind the sticks, when you’re third and extra-long continuously, it’s not going to be good, and we have to be better. And that goes with every position group, Zach [Wilson], the wide receivers, the offensive line, myself, the coaches. We have to do a better job across the board.
Wilson and the Jets offense will face the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. On Wednesday, Kansas City linebacker Willie Gay Jr. assessed the Jets offense, notably Wilson.
“A team that wants to run the ball,” Gay said. “Of course, man, that wasn’t to be funny or anything, but A-Rod [Rodgers] got hurt and they turned into a team where like [it was] panic mode, almost.
“That’s what I see, at least. They’ve got great running backs, so now they’re just trying to pound and ground.”
Wilson said he didn’t know about the comments until he was told during Thursday’s press conference. He didn’t have much to say regarding Gay’s quotes.
“That’s fine,” Wilson said. “We are working to improve and try to get better.
“He’s a great player, but he’s obviously the competition too. So, I can see why he has those comments, but we will be ready as an offense.”
With a big game on the horizon, the walls have again closed in on Wilson. Last year, when that happened twice, he was eventually benched for his poor play and lack of accountability.
Earlier this week, the Jets signed veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian to the team’s practice squad. Jets coach Robert Saleh has continued to back Wilson as he has said the 24-year-old gives the team the best chance to win.
However, if Wilson doesn’t improve, the Jets may turn to Siemian once he understands Hackett’s offense. After the game against the Chiefs, the Jets will play at the Broncos before hosting the Eagles before their bye in Week 7.
“It’s been tough obviously these three years,” Wilson said. “I feel like I’m in a good spot mentally with where I am and I’m confident in my abilities and the scheme.
“All that matters is what goes on in this locker room and in the film room with these coaches. We are going to handle our business.”
