Jets, Zach Wilson keep it conservative in preseason win
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Zach Wilson began his Jets regular-season career here two years ago, when he made his first NFL start against the Panthers. On Saturday, he returned for the next step in his journey to get his career back on track.
While he did not make any highlight-reel throws or inspire anyone to shout, “wow,” his play Saturday was another baby step toward rebuilding the 2021 No. 2 overall pick.
Wilson played the entire first half of the Jets’ 27-0 preseason win over the Panthers, overseeing six series, three of them resulting in scores.
He did not make any spectacular throws, but he also did not commit any big blunders in going 14-for-20 for 123 yards and a touchdown.
“I thought he was poised, ran the offense,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. “We played a lot of our starters on offense. I thought he did a really, really nice job. We ran the ball well. He had three scoring drives. He was efficient. Last drive at the end of the half, he was in total control of the offense in a bleed situation to make sure that we finished the half with the ball. I’m really pumped for him. He’s taking great steps.”
One of the criticisms of Wilson in his first two NFL seasons was his inability to make the “layups,” that is the easy throws.
He showed growth in that respect on Saturday.
Twelve of his 14 completions went to running backs and tight ends, as he took what the Panthers’ defense was giving him.
He did not force anything downfield.
His touchdown was a 2-yard toss to tight end Kenny Yeboah, who was wide open.
The score was set up by a 27-yard run by rookie Israel Abanikanda just before halftime. Wilson also led two field goal drives.
It was another positive step for Wilson, who is learning to be a backup quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers.
“I was just trying to get the ball out of my hands quickly,” Wilson said. “That was kind of my goal today. How can I get the ball out efficiently and help the O line out that way? The run after catch … you can see when you get the ball in some of those guys’ hands, they can really do something with it. So, that was the goal for me.”
The Jets played more offensive starters and expected contributors in this game than they did during their preseason opener in the Hall of Fame Game against the Browns on Aug. 3.
The only offensive starters who did not play were Rodgers, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, wide receiver Randall Cobb and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Saleh said he made that decision after he watched the Panthers’ defense dominate the Jets’ offense on Wednesday in a joint practice.
“Coming off of Wednesday, it’s not from pettiness. We’ve got to play football together,” Saleh said. “We’ve got a really good group, but it doesn’t matter if we don’t know how to play football together. That was kind of evident on Wednesday. Just trying to create another opportunity. There’s not very many opportunities where we get a chance to play football together.”
The Jets’ backup defense performed well against the Panthers’ starting offense.
Carolina started rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1-overall pick in the draft this year.
He was unable to get anything going, finishing 4-for-6 for 21 yards.
The Jets had five sacks in the game, getting Young once and Matt Corral four times.
Running backs Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight both played.
They are fighting for the No. 2 spot behind starter Breece Hall, who is recovering from a torn left ACL, and trying to convince Jets management they don’t need to add Dalvin Cook.
Carter had four rushes for 19 yards and two catches for 34 yards. Knight had four rushes for 13 yards and one catch for three yards.
Wilson said he thought about his first NFL start here two years ago as he walked into Bank of America Stadium.
“It’s been a crazy two years and how quickly it flew by,” Wilson said. “My first start was in this stadium and then the ups and downs of the last two years. You’ve got to be grateful for the ups and downs and for the road and grateful for what’s to come, too.”
The Jets will now return to New Jersey, where they will hold joint practices with the Buccaneers this week before playing Tampa Bay at MetLife Stadium on Saturday. =
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