Robert Saleh noticed something different about Zach Wilson.
“Zach looks good. He’s definitely hit the weight room, he looks beefy,” Saleh said from the team’s training camp in Florham Park Saturday. “In a good way. He’s definitely filled out so. But he’s still got all his looseness and he can throw the ball with all the zip and all that stuff.”
Wilson physically looks more like an NFL quarterback and not a prospect fresh out of college, but it’s not the only thing about him that’s improved.
The Jets’ second-year QB traveled across the country this offseason to improve his chemistry with his receivers, as well as continue to become a better leader. Starting left tackle George Fant even noticed Wilson had more “swag” compared to last season.
And his mental sharpness seems light-years ahead of where it was last spring in regards to mastering the Jets offensive scheme.
“We got one week of Phase 2, which is where we can finally go out there, do the walkthroughs and all that stuff,” Saleh said. “He’s got a really good command of the offense and he’s done a really good job in regards to that,” Saleh said. “There’s little things that he’s doing where you’re seeing a little more security. And he’s not a rookie, so he’s being a little more vocal. So, he looks good. He’s getting more comfortable.”
The scheme will be substantially easier for Wilson to execute with the offensive additions the Jets made throughout the offseason.
Tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin along with Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson were acquired within the first few days of free agency to supercharge the offensive line and tight end group.
Then the Jets drafted Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson with the No. 10 overall pick to add to Wilson’s weaponry, along with Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Braxton Berrios.
Garrett’s skillset should make his transition from college to the NFL smooth, and help his new QB.
“He’s got tremendous body control, range and great route running ability. He’s got great versatility to win those one-on-ones that we talked about yesterday in man coverage when teams are up there in man coverage,” Saleh said of Garrett. “Obviously there’s gonna be things that he’s got to work on like every rookie does but really excited to have him and the versatility that he brings.”
Gang Green also drafted former Iowa State star Breece Hall (at No. 36), who was regarded as one of the best running back prospects of the 2022 Draft class. Hall rushed for 3,941 yards and 50 touchdowns in his college career. Adding a weapon like him should take the pressure off of Wilson as the Jets can become a more balanced offense.
The Jets did their part by adding a plethora of talent around Wilson. And so far, Wilson has done his part too.
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The Jets have signed their No. 4 overall pick, Sauce Gardner. It’s a four-year contract, fully guaranteed, for $38.7M. That includes a $25.3M signing bonus along with the standard fifth-year option.
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