The New York Jets and their top pick in this year’s draft, Zach Wilson, had a lot of trouble coming to terms on his rookie contract.
Now we may be getting a clearer glimpse into why.
Wilson, who was the last remaining unsigned first-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, signed a “fully-guaranteed” deal with New York on Thursday.
On Friday he emerged for his first real practice as the future of the Jets – and it didn’t go well.
Connor Hughes of The Athletic recapped all the action:
Bad throw. Zach Wilson tosses one right to Marcus Maye. Not sure who intended WR is. Wilson been struggling some since that first long completion. #Jets
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) July 30, 2021
Really rough series for Wilson in 7-on-7 drill near goal line. Completed just 1 of 6 passes, and that one was short of end zone. #Jets
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) July 30, 2021
When it was all said and done, DJ Bien-Aime of the New York Daily News offered this final take on how Wilson looked for the day:
Practice is over.
Zach Wilson wasn’t good, and to be real, he was bad. Indecisive, inaccurate, threw a pick, held the ball a lot
But it’s only practice. It’s first first day back in a while. Not the end of the world. How he bounces back tomorrow is what’s important. #Jets
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) July 30, 2021
Obviously that’s not what the Jets were hoping to see after signing Wilson to a four-year, $35.1 million deal. Sure, it was just his first practice and it’s still early – but it’s also not a great sign when Mike White and James Morgan do a better job running the offense than your prized new pick-up.
The Bucks owner’s daughter decided to bring 2021 in with a bang by stripping all her clothes off. https://t.co/UgzhEEna4o
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 7, 2021
Wilson’s mom going wild and crazy has soaked up a lot of headlines and attention from him. But those days are done. He is the focal point now, and how he plays going forward is what’s going to make news.
Will Wilson be able to live up to the New York hype? Time will tell.
Related: Patrick Ewing Explains Why Gregg Popovich’s US Team Sucks
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
