New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Former MVP shares requests for Zach Wilson, Jets fans

Former New York Jets quarterback, one-time Most Valuable Player and current "The NFL Today" analyst Boomer Esiason shared requests for both New York signal-caller Zach Wilson and Jets fans ahead of this Sunday's home game against the 7-5 Houston Texans. 

"You gotta hope Zach Wilson is coming back with a chip on his shoulder," Esiason said during Thursday's edition of the WFAN "Boomer and Gio" program, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "Get p----- off. Get out there and get p----- off. Play p----- off. Play like you believe in yourself." 

Wilson didn't play a snap across the past two games after he was benched for the third time since November 2022. Head coach Robert Saleh named Wilson his starter against Houston on Wednesday and then publicly challenged the third-year pro to "trust in your arm talent" and "just let the thing rip." 

Of course, one concern with such a mentality is that Wilson will turn the ball over in front of frustrated home fans who have watched a lot of awful offensive football over the past couple of months. According to ESPN stats, the Jets enter Week 14 ranked 31st in the league with an average of 260.1 offensive yards per game and 30th in scoring with an average of 14.3 points per contest. 

Additionally, StatMuse shows the Jets have thus far surrendered the third-most sacks (51) during this NFL season. 

Esiason asked Jets fans heading to MetLife Stadium on Sunday to offer their full support for Wilson and the offense regardless of what those customers see during the game's first handful of drives. 

"There’s gonna be dropped passes," Esiason explained. "There’s gonna be sacks. [Wilson is] gonna be running around. I hope the Jet fans give him a chance before they start unloading on him." 

As of late Thursday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Jets as 3.5-point underdogs against the Texans. While Esiason made solid points, one couldn't blame fans who have endured a five-game losing streak for voicing their displeasure on a December afternoon in East Rutherford if the home team produces yet another dud. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Kirk Cousins not angry with Falcons because winning is 'hard enough'
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Bills add two-time Super Bowl champ to new-look WR room
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Sandy Alderson denies involvement in Mets, Billy Eppler IL controversy
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury
See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship
Former Bruins winger dead at 75
Super Bowl-winning safety plans to retire after 2024 season

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.