EAST RUTHERFORD — During the week leading up to the Jets primetime matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, it felt like quarterback Zach Wilson was publicly scrutinized by just about every major pundit and publication across the country. Even Hall of Famer Joe Namath threw a few harsh jabs the way of the struggling signal caller. “I wouldn’t keep him. I’ve seen enough of Zach Wilson,” said the Super Bowl III champion during a radio appearance on the Michael Kay Show.
With his future shrouded in uncertainty and his starting job seemingly hanging in the balance, the 2021 second overall pick went out and played arguably his best game as a pro. Despite completing a career-high 28 passes and tossing two touchdowns with a 105.2 QBR and leading the Jets back from a 17-0 first quarter deficit, it was a crucial fumble by Wilson with just 7:24 remaining in the fourth that ultimately doomed the Jets in a 23-20 defeat at the hands of the defending Super Bowl Champions.
“I thought he [Wilson] was really good,” said head coach Robert Saleh. “He gave us a chance to win the game. Brought us back. If he plays like that, we’re going to win a lot of football games.”
“It’s on me,” admitted Wilson. “Critical situation, I can’t have a play like that. I cannot drop the ball. This team is sacrificing a lot. Guys are making plays. Defense was making plays. O-line was protecting. Receivers were making plays. To be driving right there, to drop a snap, I cannot do that.”
Just three possessions into the Jets first Sunday Night Football appearance since 2011, the explosive Chiefs offense scored each time they touched the ball and took a commanding 17-0 lead before the first quarter clock expired. It had the makings of another embarrassing laugher in front of a national audience. The fans that weren’t dressed in red hoping to catch a glimpse of pop-star Taylor Swift rained down boos on a team that looked ready to implode. Then, something clicked. The Jets defense was able to generate a safety just 1:33 into the second quarter to get the team on the board. A Greg Zuerlein 31-yard field goal and a Wilson touchdown pass to tight end C.J. Uzomah put the Jets within a possession of the lead, trailing 20-12 at halftime.
After deferring the opening kickoff to Kansas City, the Jets received possession out of the half with momentum trending in their direction. Wilson proceeded to lead the suddenly surging offense on an impressive seven play 75-yard drive that culminated in a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard before Wilson scrambled to pay dirt for a successful two-point conversion to knot the score at 20 points apiece.
“I was lit. I was excited,” said Lazard. “You could just feel the energy just shift and the momentum changing towards our side, that was a huge part, especially to be able to come out there in the second half. I think it was the first time this year that we scored first drive of the half, whether it be the first or second, so that was huge for our offense, just to kind of get that momentum going and obviously we wished we would have finished the game a little bit better.”
Following the crucial Wilson fumble in the fourth, it looked like the Jets had the Chiefs stopped multiple times with a chance to get the ball back and at the very least attempt to send it to overtime. A Patrick Mahomes 24-yard scramble on 3rd & 23 and a Michael Carter II interception that was negated by a highly questionable Sauce Gardner holding call all but put the nail in the Jets coffin.
“I don’t think it was that egregious,” said Carter II on the critical penalty called on Gardner. “I think what happened was he threw it [the flag] after the pick, too, so the penalty happened. Obviously, I don’t agree with it. I would like to have an interception, but we have plenty of opportunities to get off the field. We got to do better as a defense especially on those third and longs and all that stuff. We have to take advantage and get it back on the ground.”
A visibly upset Wilson was consoled and supported by Lazard and punter Thomas Morstead on the sidelines as time ticked away on the Jets third consecutive defeat.
“I lost us that game and I cannot do that,” Wilson said. “I was making it clear to those guys that I need to be better. I need to be better on the little things, the details. It can’t happen.”
Those comments resonated deeply within the bowels of the Jets locker room on Sunday night. It was a massive sign of growth and maturity from Wilson after he failed to take ownership and accountability for his poor play in a defeat to the Patriots in Foxboro just ten months ago. Those comments sent shockwaves throughout the organization at the time and ultimately forced the franchise to make a change under center. That certainly isn’t the case this time around – his teammates are confident in his ability as a passer, a decision maker and most importantly, a teammate.
“It just shows his resilience. It shows his maturity. It shows the growth that he’s had over the last year, since last season,” said center Connor McGovern. “He wasn’t listening to any of it. He was brushing it off and moving forward. He went out and had another phenomenal practice. Went out and balled out in the game. So, I’m proud of him. Like everybody says, Coach Saleh, everybody in the locker room, we trust him. We know he has the ability. We’ve all seen his ability to do it. That’s why we’ve stuck behind him. We all have his back.”
