Jets legendary quarterback Joe Namath ripped current New York signal-caller Zach Wilson earlier this week when he described his performance against the Patriots in Week 3 as “disgusting” and Wilson responded Thursday.
“He’s passionate,” Wilson told reporters. “He’s obviously was one of the greats and so as an offense we gotta do everything we can to just try and prove him wrong.”
Namath’s criticism was harsh to say the least. He went as far as to say that he wants Wilson off the Jets.
“I don’t believe in Zach. I don’t believe he has a future,” Namath said during a Monday appearance on the The Michael Kay Show. “I think they made the wrong choice when they drafted him.”
"He's passionate, he's obviously one of the greats" - Zach Wilson on Joe Namath's comments
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 28, 2023
Wilson answers a follow-up question: "I know I need to improve, I promise I'm doing everything I can to keep trying to get better" pic.twitter.com/NUF1Ya3lUg
Wilson denied that the comments bothered him but acknowledged that he needs to improve on the field. Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, however, wasn’t as pleased about Namath’s comments and defended his quarterback during a Tuesday appearance on ESPN New York’s Bart & Hahn Show.
“We love Joe . . . but I hope we find a way to use that as ammunition. And one day, that Joe Namath can admit that he was wrong,” he said. “Hopefully we can make him eat his words.”
The Wilson duo will get their chance to silence Namath on Sunday when the Jets (1–2) host the Chiefs (2–1) on Sunday Night Football. Kick off is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
