Zach Wilson may no longer be the starting quarterback in New York, but the first round pick he has the opportunity to learn from one of the best to ever play the position.
Wilson appeared at his first press briefing since the New York Jets traded for Aaron Rogersand Wilson had high praise for the four-time MVP.
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson speaks to reporters after the team’s OTAs at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 9, 2023 in Florham Park, NJ (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
«Of course, I’d like to be the guy. So, at first, you’re not always happy with that. But I’m extremely excited that, of any quarterback we could have brought in, it was him.» Wilson said Friday when asked about his reaction when he first heard trade news. «I had been talking to him this offseason. I was with him early in the offseason before this was even talked about. So, we were able to spend some time together. It was really cool to see how it all turned out.» together.
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«I have to see where I am as a quarterback and how I can look to be the best that I can be. And I think this could be a big part of that. What he brings to the table, what coach [Nathaniel] hack[ett] and [Todd] Bringing Downing to the table could be really good for me and my development. And then this offense, of course, too.»
The Jets entered this offseason in desperate need of a quarterback upgrade after Wilson took a big step back in his second season.
Aaron Rodgers (12) of the Green Bay Packers and Zach Wilson (2) of the New York Jets shake hands after a game at Lambeau Field on October 16, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The second overall pick in the 2021 draft was benched twice during a year in which the Jets had a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
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Rodgers’ move, while huge for an organization that hasn’t been in the Super Bowl since 1968 casts Wilson in the backup role as he looks to restart his career.
«It’s interesting, right? Of course, I wish things would have been different in the last two years and he would have played amazing,» Wilson said of being Rodgers’ backup in NY. «But I really believe that everything happens for a reason. And Aaron knows it, but he’s someone I’ve looked up to for as long as I can remember playing football.»
New York Jets quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (8) and Zach Wilson (2) speak during team OTAs at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 6, 2023 in Florham Park, NJ (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
«I really appreciate him and how much he’s willing to help me. Because he doesn’t really need to be that eloquent. But honestly, he’s an amazing friend. And obviously an amazing quarterback. And so I’m learning a lot about football.»
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The Jets held their last OTA practice on Friday and now have a six-week break before the start of training camp.
«The last six weeks have been the most fun I’ve had in a long time,» Rodgers said Friday after practice, according to ESPN.