New York Jets: How Rookie QB Zach Wilson can find his stride

Midway through his rookie season, Zach Wilson is still looking to find his footing in the NFL.

There was no player in college football who did more in 2020 to help their draft stock than Zach Wilson. After putting up modest numbers in his first two seasons as a starter, Wilson emerged as a superstar, with 43 total touchdowns and only three interceptions. This breakout season put Wilson towards the top of draft boards and was the consensus number two quarterback in the draft behind Trevor Lawrence.

Wilson’s meteoric rise in 2020 seemed like the perfect storm. Everything fell into place for Wilson to succeed, and he took full advantage. But 2021 has entailed a far more turbulent path, and between injuries and inconsistent play, the young quarterback is still trying to find his footing at the professional level.

Zach Wilson has been outplayed by his backups.

A common defense for Wilson’s struggles was his supporting cast. The Jets had trouble building around their last young quarterback, and many fans and analysts were convinced the Jets hadn’t given Wilson enough to work with. This argument fell flat when Mike White threw for 400 yards and led New York to 34-31 win in the first start of his career, and journeyman Josh Johnson had similar success in week nine. Having career backups look far better running the offense doesn’t bode well for Wilson and is a reminder to fans of how much work still needs to be done.

Stop fixating on the big play

Wilson was a big-play machine his junior year at BYU. He averaged 11 yards per attempt and was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country throwing deep downfield. Wilson’s aggressiveness played a big role in his team’s success in college, but it’s having a reverse effect early in his pro career. Wilson is trying to hunt the big play when it just isn’t there, and it has resulted in a lot of questionable decisions and turnovers.

Wilson needs to be more willing to take checkdowns. 

One of the main differences that stood out to me between White and Wilson was White’s willingness to take check downs. Throwing to the flat or drag route isn’t the flashiest thing, but sometimes that’s all that’s there. Learning to take what the defense gives him will be crucial for Wilson’s development. Wilson’s average depth of target is currently top ten in the league and is second among rookies behind only Justin Fields.

Sometimes rookie quarterbacks are put in bad situations and asked to do too much early on in their careers. However, it seems Wilson is the one who is asking too much of himself. There are times when a quarterback needs to be a game manager, and if Wilson can learn to take more quick, rhythmic throws it would benefit him and the offense.