New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas isn’t giving up on quarterback Zach Wilson even though Gang Green is about to officially land Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers.
“I feel like this is going to be a great thing for Zach,” Douglas said during a predraft news conference about adding Rodgers to the team’s quarterback room, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “And I spoke to you guys at the combine, and Zach’s ceiling is unlimited.”
Specifically, Douglas insisted during the combine that the Jets’ “stance on Zach hasn’t changed” and that the club still believes the 2021 second-overall draft pick “has a very high ceiling.” That was before Rodgers confirmed in March he intended to play for the Jets later this year and before New York prevented the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player from being scooped up by a different club such as the San Francisco 49ers.
Wilson told reporters last fall he grew up “trying to replicate” Rodgers. Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah and former Jets quarterback and current “The NFL Today” analyst Boomer Esiason have since mentioned Wilson has a good relationship with Rodgers, and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote last week that New York wants Wilson to “develop in the background” as Rodgers’ backup.
“No one works harder, no one loves ball more than Zach Wilson,” Douglas added during his comments. “And him having the opportunity to really shadow and be with a first-ballot, Hall of Fame quarterback every day, every hour he’s in the building, that’s a great opportunity and a great experience.”
Wilson has accumulated a career record of 8-14 with the Jets and was benched in November and yet again in December. According to ESPN stats, the 23-year-old ended the 2022 regular season ranked last among eligible players with a 54.5% completion percentage and a 72.8 passer rating. He tossed six touchdown passes and seven interceptions in nine games.
It remains unknown if Rodgers will play beyond the 2023 season, but the Jets clearly are hoping they won’t have to turn to Wilson for any meaningful snaps before September 2024 at the earliest.
