featured image

The New York Jets hope Zach Wilson can combine two different kinds of potential greatness that he showed as a rookie

Overall, Zach Wilson’s first season with the New York Jets was a rollercoaster – one with more dips than peaks.

While the tops of that roller coaster didn’t show up as often as Wilson probably wanted, the ones that did show up were: terribly high.

And the Jets hope those spikes can become the standard for Wilson in 2022.

Interestingly enough (in an encouraging way) there was a lot of stylistic variation between the peaks Wilson showed in his rookie year. Many different playstyles are featured in his best games and best moments. It’s not like Wilson only flashed one way. He proved that he has the ability to perform at a high level in various facets of the quarterback position.

If you ask Jets fans what game from Wilson’s rookie year they considered his “signature” performance, you’ll get two common answers: his Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans and his Week 17 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Both games were impressive displays from Wilson. But what’s intriguing is that he played a drastically different kind of football in every match.

That’s what should get Jets fans most excited about Wilson. This is not a player who has shown that he can only thrive if he plays a certain style or is placed in a certain environment. Instead, Wilson’s body of work suggests that he has the talent to succeed in many ways. And that’s an essential quality of great quarterbacks. In a league where there is so much variety in how teams defend, quarterbacks need to be able to succeed in any situation.

Wilson clearly has the potential to do that. Now it’s all about fulfilling that potential.

In that regard, let’s take a look back at Wilson’s signature renditions mentioned earlier: the Titans and Buccaneers games.

Each performance showed a very different side of Wilson’s playing. If Wilson can combine what he showed against the Titans with what he showed against the Buccaneers, he could become a fantastic all-around quarterback.

Week 4 vs. Tennessee Titans

Wilson’s week 4 match against the Titans was his coming out party. After averaging 209.3 yards for 0.7 touchdowns over his first three games (losing all of them), Wilson went off for 297 yards and two touchdowns in a high-profile performance to earn his first career win.

Looking back, the Titans game wasn’t quite one of Wilson’s cleanest renditions. He did miss some gimme throws, especially a couple of chances late in the game that could have sealed the deal. There were also some unwise decisions. I would say Wilson had several games in the second half of the year that were cleaner and more consistent than this one.

Regardless of the imperfections, what Wilson’s Tennessee game represents is a dazzling showcase of the uniquely exciting features that take its ceiling to superstar level. If you want to know why he was a second overall pick and why there’s a chance he could be something really special, this is the game to watch.

Wilson’s improvisation, mobility and deep passing were the highlights of this performance. He played off-schedule plays when things broke down. When casting in motion his accuracy was excellent. Most of all, Wilson showed off an arm howitzer when he threw deep, with a feather-light touch to boot.

On throws for more than 20 air yards, Wilson went 4-of-5 for 165 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions (perfect 158.3 passer rating). Wilson recorded a pass EPA (estimated added points) of +13.3 on these passes, which was the best figure of a QB in Week 4.

Many of Wilson’s deep passes were made along the way. His mobile passing in this game was tremendous. In fact, it was one of the best mobile passes of the entire 2021 NFL season.

On throws from outside the tackle box, Wilson went 5-of-9 for 147 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a +11.6 EPA. The yardage and EPA totals are each ranked as the third-best one-game total for a quarterback in 2021, trailing Russell Wilson’s Week 14 game (175 yards, +12.8 EPA) and Dak Prescott’s Week 6 game (165 yards, +13.2 EPA). ).

Unfortunately, for the rest of his rookie year, Wilson couldn’t put in another feat as explosive as this one. A fully developed Wilson should be able to trigger at least three or four explosions of this caliber each season.

Jets X-Factor Membership

Week 17 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While the Titans game showcased the flashy qualities that Wilson’s ceiling over the top, the Bucs game showed the subtler traits that raise Wilson’s floor. He proved that he is able to master the details of quarterback.

Wilson was erratic for much of his rookie season. He missed a lot of throws with a high percentage and often seemed uncomfortable from the pocket. His timing, rhythm and decision making were inconsistent at best.

Promisingly, Wilson began to correct those problems in the second half of the season. No game showed that progression more than the Tampa Bay game.

Wilson’s Bucs game was a clinic. It showed that he can be a professional pocket quarterback – the kind of guy who can sit back and make a defense with pinpoint accuracy in the short to medium range, smart decision making and a quick release.

Quarterbacks can use their special physical abilities for more than just playing while playing or swaying the ball deeply. Wilson’s Buccaneers tape showed that his abilities can also be used to methodically deal damage from the bag.

Wilson’s quick throwing motion, ability to throw from unique arm angles and high speed were all showcased against Tampa Bay.

Overall, this was a surgical bag performance. Throwing out of the pocket, Wilson went 19-of-29 (65.5%) for 234 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions—with two missed passes that would have added up to at least 20 yards more. Throw that in and he really went 21-of-29 (72.4%).

Still, with a score of +0.49, Wilson generated the fourth most passing EPA per dropback from a quarterback’s pocket in Week 17, behind only Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Joe Burrow.

Wilson did this with an impromptu supporting cast. The Jets were without Elijah Moore, Corey Davis and Connor McGovern, while George Fant and Michael Carter each left the game early.

It felt like Wilson was wearing the Jets in this game. His guns didn’t provide much separation and his line of attack was a patchwork quilt, but he hung tight in the pocket and consistently fit the ball into small windows. The balance, confidence and rhythm Wilson showed was truly admirable, especially considering the talent around him.

Mixing the Tennessee and Tampa Bay games

When people think of the league’s top young quarterbacks, say Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson, the first thing that comes to mind is that particular player’s signature “special” trait; the thing you see most often on their highlight reels.

But that’s not what makes the aforementioned quarterbacks so successful. Sure, those special traits make them go from “really good” to “phenomenal”, but to become a quarterback who can consistently win games, you have to master the boring stuff.

Mahomes, Allen and Jackson always had unique gifts. Everyone knew that when they got out of college. What we didn’t know was if those guys could become consistent enough as all-around quarterbacks to let those gifts shine.

Can they accurately deliver the routine throws on a consistent basis? Can they order a violation? Can they make good decisions? Can they get the ball out quickly? Can they keep sales to a minimum?

Those three quarterbacks have answered all those questions since they entered the NFL, which is why they win games and produce great numbers. Without mastering those minute details of the position, their physical talents would be nothing more than mere flashes of what could have been had they really learned how to be an NFL quarterback.

Every year, many quarterback prospects enter the NFL with great features. But only those who perfect the heart of the matter can show those qualities to the fullest. (I’m looking at you, Sam Darnold.)

Wilson has many ceiling-raising skills that are rare for the position. The Titans game made that clear. Because of these skills, the best version of Wilson can be better than the best version of most other quarterbacks.

But to become that best version of himself, Wilson must learn to become a regular professional quarterback. That was exactly what he was against the Buccaneers.

If Wilson can combine the explosiveness, improvisation and mobility of the Titans game with the consistency, cleverness and accuracy of the Buccaneers game, he will make a great quarterback.