GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson looked something close to perfect in his second preseason start as he let it rip in a 23-14 victory against the Packers on Saturday.
Wilson’s performance last week against the Giants was solid, but this game was superb as the former BYU quarterback led the Jets to 17 first-half points.
Here’s what the No.2 overall pick’s stat line looked like on Saturday in four drives: 9 for 11 for 128 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 154.7.
Jet fans would be forgiven if they had trouble remembering what good quarterbacking looked like. But Wilson offered a stirring refresher course as the 22-year-old showed everything that made him a top-2 selection in the 2021 draft.
The velocity was evident on his throw to Tyler Kroft on a seam route as he fit it into a tight window for six points.
Remember the off platform throws that fans drooled over? Wilson showed that too.
On first-and-10 from the Green Bay 43, there was pressure up the middle. Wilson didn’t panic as he smoothly rolled right before throwing a dot to Corey Davis on the sideline for a 27-yard gain.
Everything that made Wilson a tantalizing prospect was evident against the Packers.
Yes, all of the production came against the second-team defense, but nonetheless the rookie quarterback looked good.
Wilson started the game on the right track.
On Wilson’s first drive, it was third-and-8. He quickly identified the coverage’s weak spot and fired a bullet over the middle to Davis on a skinny post for a 24-yard pick up.
Then the next play Wilson ran a play action and dumped it in the flat to Trevon Wesco, who barreled for 17 yards.
That drive ended with Matt Ammendola nailed a 54-yard field goal, but Wilson looked efficient and kept that momentum rolling.
The second drive didn’t offer much, but the third drive featured the fireworks.
A few plays after Wilson made his highlight throw to Davis, it was second-and-12 after a flag on Greg Van Roten. Wilson dropped back and surveyed the field. Initially, he didn’t see anyone open, but he didn’t panic then he fired a missile to Kroft over the middle for a touchdown.
After the Jets defense gave up a touchdown, Wilson quickly responded.
Corey Ballentine provided the offense with some help as he almost cribbed a kickoff return before being tackled on the Green Bay 35.
But after two six-yard runs by Ty Johnson, Wilson ran a boot play action roll out and found Kroft naked in the flat and Kroft sprinted into the end zone. That capped Wilson’s Saturday afternoon and it was a doozy.
Overall, Wilson couldn’t have played better in four series of action as it was near perfection.
