Tag: Zack Wilson

Twitter reacts to Zach Wilson’s reported refusal to play for the Jets

The Jets have poisoned their quarterback situation to the point where former 2nd-overall pick Zach Wilson reportedly doesn’t want to play.

The New York Jets’ 2023 quarterback situation, ending as it did in a competitive sense a few plays into the regular season when Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tenson, is one of the worst in NFL history.

It’s bad enough at this point that Zach Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft who never quite panned out for the team, is now reluctant to return to the field for the team that drafted him — this per reports from Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.

Wilson had started a team-high nine games this season, but has been part of a merry-go-round that showed just how clueless the franchise was with any sort of backup plan for a Rodgers injury. Wilson has completed 190 of 321 passes this season for 1,944 yards, six touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a passer rating of 73.8. That’s not amazing by any stretch, but if you stack it up against the performances of Tom Boyle and Trevor Siemian, Rodgers’ other backups in this crazy quilt, Wilson looks like… well, Aaron Rodgers in comparison.

In their 15-8 embarrassment of a loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, Boyle completed 14 of 25 passes for 148 yards, no touchdowns, an interception, and a passer rating of 56.7 before being benched in “favor” of Siemian, who completed five of 13 passes for 66 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, three sacks, and a passer rating of 55.3.

As for Wilson, he was benched in the Jets’ 32-6 Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and relegated to third quarterback before the Jets’ 34-13 Week 12 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In that Black Friday game, Boyle threw a 99-yard pick-six to Miami safety Jevon Holland.

So, you can understand why Wilson might have some hard feelings about the ways in which things have gone, though he hasn’t come close to looking like a functional starting quarterback in the NFL to date.

The Jets next face the Houston Texans next Sunday. Stay tuned to see who will be suiting up at the game’s most important position!

And meanwhile, you can check out the most prominent responses to this news on social media.

3 big takeaways from Patriots’ 15-10 win over Jets

Here are 3 big takeaways from New England’s ugly win over the Jets

A win is a win, no matter how poor.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J., the New England Patriots took on the New York Jets in a contest to determine last place in the AFC East.

The conditions determined the gameplay. Both teams combined for just over 500 total yards, and the Jets were limited to just 38 yards rushing between running backs Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook.

Ultimately, in the battle of strong defenses versus mediocre offenses, the Patriots prevailed 15-10, though not in a convincing fashion.

Here are 3 big takeaways from New England’s first win of the 2023 season.

Instant analysis: Bills shocked by Jets in Week 9 loss

Instant analysis: #Bills shocked by #Jets in Week 9 loss (via @jdiloro):

The Buffalo Bills are off to their best start since 1993.

The Bills (6-2) entered their Week 9 game  as11-point favorites against the New York Jets (6-3).

Buffalo led the league in yards per game on offense.

None of that mattered as the Jets shocked the Bills at MetLife Stadium, knocking off the Super Bowl favorites Sunday afternoon, 20-17.

The contest started all right for the Bills, with the Buffalo offense being gifted with great field position after the Jets kicker slipped on the opening kickoff. Buffalo followed it up with a 42-yard pass to Stefon Diggs. That play would be the Bills longest play on the day.

Two plays later, Josh Allen was intercepted by Jordan Whitehead.

It would be a harbinger for the rest of the day.

Buffalo’s high-powered offense was rendered mediocre by the Jets. The Bills struggled in pass blocking and once again, hoped that a game plan of watching Allen run around and make impromptu plays would be good enough to win.

For a few fleeting moments, it seemed like it would work. Allen ran for a 36-yard touchdown on a well-scripted play:

However, the Jets would be relentless in putting pressure on Allen, gradually containing him and forcing him to throw off balance.

Allen threw for 205 passing yards on an 18-of-34 passing day. Allen was off balance on both of his interceptions, not setting his feet and largely gifting the Jets with the turnovers.

Buffalo’s offensive line lacked the ability to slow down the New York defensive front. Allen was under duress, his receivers did not create separation, and his passes were not as accurate as viewers have been accustomed to seeing.

Buffalo was not committed to any sort of run attack outside of Allen. The trio of Devin Singletary, James Cook, and Nyheim Hines ran 13 times for 48 yards.

This was probably the game in which the Bills defense missed the most tackles of the season.

Several times, Buffalo defenders did not take the right angle and allowed Jets players to gain extra yards. While the Jets did not have a massive day through the air, they were methodical with moving the ball down the field. QB Zach Wilson felt pressure at times, but it was not anywhere near what would be acceptable for a team in Super Bowl contention.

Buffalo was gashed on the ground for the second game in a row. It seemed as if the Bills had things under control for the first half. However, the Jets continued to gain the advantage in the trenches as the game wore on.

The fourth quarter drive that led to the winning field goal was particularly worrisome for the Bills, as they offered little resistance to the New York ground attack at the start of the drive, a drive that started at the Jets four-yard-line. Buffalo only gained an advantage at the end of the drive when it appeared that the Jets were just trying to bleed the clock for a late field goal.

The Bills, even with their lack of precision, still had an opportunity to at least tie the game. Buffalo started with a beautiful pass to Diggs, which would have been his first reception of the second half.

Instead, the Bills were called for holding on Dion Dawkins, negating the massive gain. Even on fourth down, the Bills had Allen throw a deep ball, only to be defended fairly well by rookie Sauce Gardner.

The game had a similar feel to the Jacksonville Jaguars loss of last year. Buffalo was imprecise with their play, lacking consistency from play-to-play on the game. They largely could not string together a series of positive plays.

It was equally shocking that Buffalo’s play-calling could not figure out the Jets. Von Miller recorded a strip sack, but outside of that play, it is hard to find a play that stands out for the defense. On the flip side, the offense was inconsistent.

This game was a humbling experience for the Bills. Buffalo was battling with several players out of the lineup, including Matt Milano, Jordan Poyer, and Spencer Brown. Still, the mistakes the team is making are concerning, especially from a coach who preaches the importance of details.

Buffalo looks to get things in the right direction in a difficult game against the Minnesota Vikings next week at Highmark Stadium.

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Lions 2021 mock draft roundup: Things open back up after trade for Jared Goff

Examining the mock drafts from multiple draft based sites, noting the projected picks for the Detroit Lions, and identifying trends.

Following 2021 mock drafts for the Detroit Lions has been a roller coaster this offseason — and were only a month into the process.

After the 2021 National Championship, three players were routinely paired with the Lions and the No. 7 overall pick — DeVonta Smith (wide receiver, Alabama), Micah Parsons (linebacker, Penn State), and Jaylen Waddle (wide receiver, Alabama).

Then Matthew Stafford requested to be traded and the mock drafts that followed saw a shift to almost exclusively quarterbacks, including Justin Fields (Ohio State), Zack Wilson (BYU), and Trey Lance (North Dakota State).

Now that the Lions have traded Stafford to the L.A. Rams in exchange for draft picks and Jared Goff — the presumed starter for at least 2021 — things have opened back up in the mock draft market for the Lions.

Let’s take a look at what has happened over the past week, starting with some of the new names.

New names added this week

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU (6-1, 200)
Currently being mocked by Lance Zierlein (NFL.com)

Zierlein: “The Lions could go in a number of directions here, including cornerback or linebacker, but with almost an entire receiving corps set to hit free agency, Chase could serve as a splashy WR1 for their new QB.”

Penei Sewell, T, Oregon (6-5, 325)
Currently being mocked by Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports)

Trapasso: “New Lions GM Brad Holmes spent the past few years with the Rams when Andrew Whitworth’s impact at left tackle was gigantic. Holmes has that in mind when picking Sewell for Jared Goff.”

Rashawn Slater, T/G, Northwestern (6-3, 314)
Currently being mocked by Danny Kelly (Ringer)

Kelly: “The Lions just completed a blockbuster trade, sending longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams in exchange for a pair of future first-round picks, a 2021 third-rounder, and Jared Goff. The move gives Detroit the chance to hit the reset button and build a new foundation from the ground up. Bolstering the offensive line with Slater, a day-one starter at either tackle or guard, is a nice way to get things started as the team seeks to establish a new identity.”

Making a strong return

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama (6-0, 175)
Currently being mocked by Joe Marino (The Draft Network), and Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)

Marino: “It’s another new era in Detroit. Suddenly, Jared Goff is the starting quarterback, Dan Campbell is the head coach, and a host of ex-players are filling up his coaching staff. While there are plenty of questions about the roster, perhaps the most notable concern is what the plan is at wide receiver where Quintez Cephus, Victor Bolden, and Geronimo Allison are the only options under contract. DeVonta Smith is the most productive receiver in Crimson Tide history and is exceptional at getting open and catching the football—the two most important functions of playing receiver.”

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama, (5-10, 182)
Currently being mocked by Bucky Brooks (NFL.com), Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News), and Josh Edwards (CBS Sports)

Iyer: “Waddle, like his Crimson Tide teammate Smith, is a highly skilled all-around receiver the Lions could use to run all the routes and get open everywhere outside for Jared Goff. Waddle would be a great replacement for aging free agent Marvin Jones Jr., assuming the Lions bring back big field-stretching younger free agent Kenny Golladay. Golladay, Waddle and tight end T.J. Hockenson would be a good foundation for Anthony Lynn’s new-look passing offense.”

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State (6-2, 245)
Currently being mocked by Dan Kadar (Akron Beacon Journal), Bryan Fischer (Anthon Sports), and the Tankathon Staff,  

Kadar: “By acquiring Goff — a middling quarterback in the NFL — it’s hard to say the Lions are in a full rebuild. They’re just really close to one. Because of that, it’s no guarantee they won’t take a quarterback at No. 7. But with a cache of first-round picks in the next two years, they can wait a year on a quarterback. If that’s the case, the Lions should be in the mode of acquiring superstar players. Parsons is on the same level as recent top 10 linebackers Roquan Smith and Devin White. He’s a foundation piece for a team that desperately needs them.”

Still being projected to Detroit

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (6-2.5, 210)
Currently being mocked by Luke Easterling (Draft Wire), Henry McKenna (For the Win), and Ryan Gosling (Pro Football Network)

Easterling: “Yes, the Lions just acquired Jared Goff from the Rams, absorbing the rest of his massive contract extension. But that shouldn’t keep the new decision-makers in Detroit from passing on a franchise passer with this pick. Wilson had a stellar 2020 campaign, showing off all the traits of a future Pro Bowler.”

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State (6-3, 221)
Currently being mocked by Ben Linsey, (PFF), AJ Schutte (Pro Football Network), and Draft Tek (Doug Hyde made Lions selection)

Linsey: “The Lions took back Jared Goff as part of the Matthew Stafford trade, but it’s unlikely that he is the Lions’ preferred long-term answer at the quarterback position. At the very least, he isn’t a reason to avoid taking a quarterback like Lance here in the draft. There is legitimate concern surrounding Lance’s accuracy and experience, especially since he’s played just one season as a starter in the FCS, but he also has absurd arm talent and gives any team the option to lean on him in the running game. It’s a bet worth taking for Detroit as they look toward life without Stafford.”

Out of the mix this week

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State (6-2.5, 223)
Not currently being mocked to the Lions

Fields was off the board by the time the Lions were on the clock in most scenarios this week, and with most analysts not incorporating trades, we saw an absence in connections to Detroit. As quarterback rankings start to clear up — assuming they do with a limited offseason — we will likely see a Fields to Detroit connections again.