Patrick Mahomes Gives Zach Wilson a Shoutout After Tough Loss
Zach Wilson and the New York Jets fell just short of pulling off the upset of the Kansas City Chiefs. After trailing 17-0 in the first quarter, the Jets battled back and tied the game at 20 in the third quarter. On the drive that tied the game, Wilson was a perfect 5/5 for 75 yards including a laser to Allen Lazard for the touchdown. Wilson threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns against the Chiefs. He was leading a potential go-ahead drive when he fumbled a low snap and the Chiefs recovered. On the ensuing drive, Patrick Mahomes scrambled for multiple first downs to seal the victory. After the game, Mahomes gave a shoutout to Wilson in the postgame interview.
"Yeah [Zach] played his tail off, he battled," Mahomes said. "We have a good defense and he made a lot of big-time throws into the windows and down the field. I've watched him since his BYU days so I was proud of him to go out there and show out."
For the first time in a very, very long time. Zach Wilson looked like the quarterback that he was coming out of BYU. Wilson showed his arm talent on various throws, but most importantly, he was making quick reads, protecting the football, and punishing the Chiefs for bringing pressure.
After the game, multiple Jets players were seen supporting Wilson on the sideline after the tough loss. To say that Wilson lost the locker room in 2022 would be an understatement. His teammates were publicly campaigning for backup quarter Mike White. After his performance against the Chiefs, it appears that Wilson has won the confidence of the locker room again.
Zach Wilson was under immense pressure in this football game. Reporters for the Jets were saying they needed to move on from Wilson. ESPN analysts like Mike Greenberg said the Jets would lose the locker room if they ever played Wilson again. Jets legend Joe Namath joined a radio show during the week, stating he has seen enough of Wilson. "I wouldn't keep him," Namath said. "I've seen enough of Zach Wilson." On top of that, the Jets were facing the defending champions on Sunday Night Football. Under the bright lights, Wilson played the cleanest game of his career. Greenberg walked back his comments after the Jets-Chiefs game.
Wilson proved a lot of the doubters wrong on Sunday night. The key moving forward will be consistency. He has the arm talent - he has flashed that at various times throughout his career. It just hasn't clicked during his time in New York. That's not unique to Zach Wilson. It hasn't clicked for any Jets quarterback in many years. Tonight, however, Wilson showed the potential of what he could become as an NFL quarterback.
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