Zach Wilson breaks silence on pressure of replacing Aaron Rodgers

14 September 2023 , 20:56

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Zach Wilson has spoken about the pressure of replacing Aaron Rodgers for the New York Jets (Image: Elsa/Getty Images)

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has spoken about his role in the team after the season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers.

The Jets face an uncertain future following the news that Rodgers will be sidelined for the remainder of the season through injury. The veteran quarterback suffered an Achille’s tendon injury in just the fourth play of his NFL debut for the Jets following a trade from the Green Bay Packers.

After Rodgers was carted away from the field to be assessed by the Jets medical staff against the Buffalo Bills in Monday Night Football, Wilson stepped up to perform as backup. In the end, the No.2 overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft helped the Jets claim a 22-16 overtime win at the MetLife Stadium.

Wilson completed 14-21 passes with 140 total passing yards, completing one touchdown pass with one interception. It was a solid performance from the third-year QB in a game that he would not have been expecting to be on the field for as long as he was needed.

Now, the remainder of the 2023 season is likely to rest on Wilson stepping up to perform for the Jets. The previous two years did not go to plan, which led to the trade with the Packers for Rodgers in the first place.

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There has already been speculation that the Jets could look to sign another quarterback in the aftermath of the injury to Rodgers. Wilson and Tim Boyle are the only QBs on the roster for the Jets, but despite the pressure back on his shoulders, Wilson insists he is ready to step up and perform.

“A lot of confidence,” Wilson told reporters, via , when asked if he has confidence in himself to be the starting quarterback for the Jets. “I truly believe in myself and I think that’s the first step to being in the NFL.

“You have to believe in yourself first and the rest will take care of itself.

“I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of pressure because the guys in the locker room do a good job showing that they’ve always got my back, leaning on each other and keeping our circle tight.”

Wilson’s first test at returning to the starting QB role for the Jets will come this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. The Jets are 1-0 after the first game of the season, but will face a tough test going on the road to the NFC East team that won 40-0 against the New York Giants in their Week One game.

Mark Wakefield