Former Jets WR Wayne Chrebet on Zach Wilson: ‘This kid is special’

Chrebet believes the Jets made the right call drafting Wilson over keeping Sam Darnold.

Add Wayne Chrebet to the list of Zach Wilson believers.

The former Jets wide receiver said he agreed with the team’s decision to draft the BYU quarterback second overall after trading away Sam Darnold. He added that it was wise of Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh to go out and get their own guy rather than keeping a previous regime’s quarterback.

“This kid is special. You couldn’t pass on Zach Wilson,” Chrebet said on The Underdog Jets Podcast. “He’s their quarterback. He’s this regime’s guy. Sam wasn’t their guy. They’re gonna live and die with [Wilson].”

Chrebet knows quarterbacks. He played with 10 different ones during his 10-year career with the Jets, catching 580 passes for 7,365 yards and 41 touchdowns. Though Wilson’s only practiced a few times in a Jets jersey with the team’s players and coaches, Chrebet’s seen enough to stand by his assessment.

“I believe in this kid,” he said. “I think he might be the answer.”

Chrebet also praised the Jets organization, which he believes is finally doing what it takes to elevate their starting quarterback. Douglas drafted three offensive players after Wilson and added a bevy of receivers and running backs in free agency.

“They’re doing a great job surrounding him with talent,” Chrebet said. “He’s got some weapons right now. If he could just get on the same page with them, they’re going to come out firing. It’s not going to take very long to show what he can do.”

[listicle id=660532]

Who are the 5 best Jets players from the New York and New Jersey area?

Jets Wire takes a look at five of the best players in franchise history from the New York and New Jersey area.

Some of the greatest players in New York Jets franchise history emerged out of the team’s own backyard.

Kids who once spent every weekend watching the Jets play on television would go onto don the Green and White themselves. These players not only suited up for the Jets, but wound up becoming some of the more impactful players in franchise history.

The Jets have had a long history. Not every franchise legend has hailed from the New York and New Jersey areas, but some of them have. Let’s take a look at five of the best local players the Jets have had over the years.

Wayne Chrebet

KRT SPORTS STORY SLUGGED: PATRIOTS-JETS KRT PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL J. BERESWILL/NEWSDAY (NEW YORK CITY OUT) (December 26) EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ

Any list mentioning New York and New Jersey natives to play for the Jets that does not include wide receiver Wayne Chrebet is incomplete.

Chrebet grew up tiny Garfield, New Jersey. He played for Garfield High School before ascending to FCS Hofstra, where he set several school records tied Jerry Rice’s FCS record for touchdowns in a single game with five.

Chrebet went undrafted out of Hofstra, but caught on with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1995 and remained with the organization until his retirement in 2005. In his 11 seasons with New York, Chrebet caught 580 passes (second in franchise history) for 7,365 yards and 41 touchdowns. He was inducted into the New York Jets Ring of Honor in 2014 and his number has not been issued to any Jets player since his retirement.

Pages: 12345

The 5 biggest free agent successes in Jets history

The Jets Wire takes a look at the five biggest free agent successes in New York Jets’ franchise history.

The Jets have been known for making poor decisions and having free agency decisions blow up in their face. Still, New York deserves credit for its good free agent signings over the years.

Whether it was signing an undrafted free agent that turned into a consistent starter or signing a player who would eventually build a Hall of Fame career with the team, these moves go down as some of the most successful in franchise history.

With that being said and free agency right around the corner, here are five of New York’s biggest free-agent successes.

Curtis Martin

Not only is Curtis Martin the greatest free agent signing in franchise history, but he is one of the best players to ever play for the Jets.

Martin inked a six-year, $36 million contract with the Jets back in 1998. He was one of the best players at his position at the time. He was acquired when the Bill Parcells-led Jets signed him away from the Patriots, sending New England two draft choices in return.

Martin rushed for a franchise-high 10,302 yards and 58 touchdowns in 123 career starts for the Jets. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 and was a two-time first-team All-Pro with the Jets in 2001 and 2004.

Pages: 12345

Jets WR Robby Anderson joins exclusive undrafted free agent club

Robby Anderson became the fifth NFL player to reach 3,000 receiving yards in his first four seasons after entering the league as a UDFA.

Robby Anderson’s season began rather quietly, but the fourth-year receiver recently joined an exclusive club of undrafted players.

Anderson became the fifth NFL player since 1970 to reach 3,000 receiving yards in his first four seasons after entering the league as an undrafted free agent. The list includes former Jets WR Wayne Chrebet, an undrafted free agent out of Hofstra.

Here’s the full list:

3,000 Receiving Yards Club
Player	Team	1st 4 Yrs	Recs	Yds	Avg	TDs
1. Victor Cruz	NYG	2010-13	241	3626	15.0	23
2. Wayne Chrebet	NYJ	1995-98	283	3517	12.4	18
3. Antonio Gates	SD	2003-06	265	3378	12.7	34
4. Drew Pearson	DAL	1973-76	188	3103	16.5	18
5. Robby Anderson	NYJ	2016-19	202	3009	14.9	19

Through the first four games this season, Anderson had just 11 receptions for 131 yards. When Sam Darnold returned from his bout with mono, Anderson immediately jumped back onto the scene. In Week 6 against Dallas, he caught five passes for 125 yards, including a 92-yard score.

With his name circling trade rumors and the Jets offense reeling, Anderson’s production again hit a standstill. However, over the past four games, he has been red hot. In his past four contests, Anderson has caught 22 of 34 targets for 370 yards and two scores.

His Thursday night performance put him over the 3,000-yard mark. Anderson caught four passes for 66 yards in the Jets’ 42-21 loss to the Ravens on Thursday Night Football.

With two games left to play against two of the best defensive backfields in the NFL, it’s unlikely that Anderson is going to set any career highs. Anderson is 271 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.

Still, he continues to put himself in a position to get paid this offseason when he hits free agency. It remains to be seen if the Jets will be the ones to pay him, but Anderson is due for a sizeable contract nonetheless.

4 interesting stats from the Jets’ Week 15 loss to Ravens

In Thursday’s loss to the Ravens, the Jets proved while they will have a top-10 draft selection, while Baltimore won the AFC North title.

Unsurprisingly, the Jets were handed their ninth loss of the season by a team much better than them.

The Ravens, entering the game as two-touchdown favorites, wound up winning by three. Baltimore beat the Jets’ No. 2 rushing defense like a drum. New York had its opportunities in the game, but never stood a chance. Adam Gase’s offense could never get going, and it looked like boys against men on the field on the defensive side of the ball.

Let’s take a look at some interesting stats from Gang Green’s latest embarrassing loss.

Lamar Jackon revenge tour

Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen were the four quarterbacks selected before Lamar Jackson in the 2018 NFL draft.

Those four quarterbacks have a combined 38-52 record after the Ravens beat the Jets 42-21 on Thursday Night Football. With Thursday’s win, Jackson is now 18-3 as a starter.

Pages: 1234