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Jets owner Woody Johnson did not mince words when discussing the team’s quarterback situation last season. He completely threw former first-round draft pick Zach Wilson under the bus in the process.
Johnson’s take on what appeared to be a strong unit upon entering the year likely tells us all we need to know about Wilson’s future with the organization.
While speaking with reporters at the NFL Honors event Thursday, he said the following when asked about the QB room moving forward.
“We need to find a backup quarterback. We didn’t have one last year.”
In a sense, he’s right.
Wilson shifted from reserve to starter after the Jets’ first possession of the season. Newly signed Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles injury after just four plays in the lineup, effectively ending his season.
Wilson was thrown into an undesirable situation, yet Johnson felt the need to throw a jab at the man who filled in for an injured teammate. Unfortunately, Wilson struggled mightily under center for a majority of New York’s 2023 campaign.
In 11 starts under center, he posted a 4-7 record tossing eight touchdowns and seven picks. The signal caller averaged just 189 yards per game and the Jets were one of the league’s lowest scoring offenses.
It seems the Zach Wilson project is on its last leg with the team expected to seek trade options this offseason.
Still, this remark seemed an unnecessary shot at a player soon to be on his way out the door.
“The way the Jets have treated Zach Wilson is downright embarrassing and unprofessional. The kid deserves better.”
Zach Wilson https://t.co/hOPTCaisvq pic.twitter.com/lSMRQAly4C
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) February 9, 2024
Wilson wasn’t successful in New York, going just 12-21 as a starter, but he was also thrown into a no-win situation given his inflated draft status and immediate insertion into the lineup.
Things are getting UGLY in the Big Apple and this split seems inevitable.