New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Latest remarks suggest J.J. Watt has little faith in Zach Wilson

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 9/14/23

The New York Jets are putting all of their eggs in the Zach Wilson basket.

Don’t expect recently retired three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt to do the same. In a recent interview with CBS Sports, Watt admitted that if the Jets are to make a potential playoff run, the defense will have to be the one that gets them there.

"The Jets are 100 percent going to be riding that defense," Watt said. "I don't think they're a Super Bowl contender anymore, but who knows, I could be wrong. … [Their defense is] going to have to carry them the whole season.”

Wilson filled in admirably in relief of Aaron Rodgers in Monday’s 22-16 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and he engineered just the third fourth-quarter comeback of his career while earning praise from his teammates, who rallied around him after losing Rodgers to a torn Achilles.

Watch how @ZachWilson's teammates support him on the sidelines after his touchdown pass. @nyjets | @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/XU5s05Z4hU
— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2023

The former No. 2 overall pick led New York on three scoring drives in the second half and helped the Jets erase a 13-6 halftime deficit and leave with a six-point win. While it wasn’t Wilson’s best performance, it certainly showed the 24-year-old at least made some strides in his development during the offseason.

His completion percentage was more than 10 points better on Monday (66.7) than his previous two-year average (55), as was his passer rating (81.4 to 71.2). The Jets also put him in a position to play to his strengths (short-to-intermediate passes).

"That's the past. This is the future. Everybody can say they have seen him grow."

Nathaniel Hackett is asked about Zach Wilson's past struggles and how Wilson will navigate the rest of this season: pic.twitter.com/q93oJvy9sw
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 14, 2023

Against the Bills, 23.8 percent of Wilson’s passes were between 10 and 19 yards, 33.3 percent were 0 to 9 yards, and 23.8 percent came behind the line of scrimmage (screens), per Pro Football Focus. Those numbers are more well-balanced than Wilson’s splits last year when 13.6 percent deep throws, 21.1 percent medium throws, 37.6 percent short throws and 14.9 percent screens.

While Wilson was efficient, Watt still needs to see more before he’s convinced the BYU alum can lead the Jets to the postseason.

"I still think it's going to be very tough (to make the playoffs)," Watt said. “You have to have a quarterback in this league that can do the job well. Zach did the job well on Monday night. Let's see how much he's grown and matured and if he can really help that defense out."

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