Zach Wilson is the starting quarterback for the New York Jets and Joe Namath has seen enough. The Pro Football Hall of Famer made it very clear during a radio interview earlier this week that he believes that the team should trade its former No. 2 overall pick.
Aaron Rodgers pushed back on that notion and said that Namath’s comments were not helping the cause. Wilson responded to the discourse during an interview on Thursday and showed great maturity in doing so.
It was a stark contrast to how he acted in a similar position last season.
Zach Wilson struggled in 2022. Calls for him to be cut or traded became deafening by the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Wilson refused to take accountability. He blamed wind for a bad day against New England. He famously offered a single word answer that rubbed people the wrong way after that same loss.
His bratty, sharp-tongued attitude was something that did not bode well for his likability. Jets players rallied around Mike White, not Wilson. Teammates threw Wilson under the bus for his attitude. He lost the locker room.
And then things started to shift.
Wilson was benched, and immediately changed his tune. A few weeks later, he admitted that he lacked confidence and rhythm. It wasn’t encouraging to hear him say that, but it was an admission of flaw.
The rest is history. Aaron Rodgers signed with New York during the offseason, Rodgers blew his achilles, Wilson took back over, Wilson mostly struggled, the Jets are 1-2. Not great.
However, amidst all of the negativity and struggles, it appears as though Wilson’s attitude has improved year over year. He took Namath’s comments in stride and vowed to keep improving.
No excuses. No finger-pointing. No sass.
Wilson will get his next chance to compete against the reining Super Bowl champions on Sunday. His attitude has improved. Has his play?