NFL world reacts to Zach Wilson putting on a show for Jets in preseason game

The New York Jets have lacked a true franchise quarterback since Joe Namath, but Zach Wilson sure looks like he’s ready to step into that starring role on Broadway.

Undaunted by the heightened atmosphere of Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers, Wilson certainly looked the part on Saturday. The BYU product was the epitome of cool, calm and collected, hitting nine of 11 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns, as the Jets went to halftime with a 17-14 lead.

Preseason football makes it difficult to judge much of anything. Defenses aren’t disguising coverages as often, if at all, and the schemes aren’t as exotic. Nevertheless, even as Green Bay sat many starters, headlined by Aaron Rodgers, Wilson was still without his top draft classmates in starting guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and wide receiver Elijah Moore.

Despite those key absences, Wilson didn’t flinch. He hung in the pocket and slid around with ease to find throwing windows like you’d expect out of a five-year vet. The accuracy, touch and field vision Wilson showed were all truly exceptional, especially for a rookie.

Although the Jets lost one of their prized free-agent acquisitions in defensive end Carl Lawson to a torn Achilles earlier this week, one of their other marquee offseason additions, wideout Corey Davis, was in sync with Wilson to say the least.

Davis hauled in four of his six targets for 70 yards, as Wilson was absolutely on point with his potential No. 1 receiver.

Unheralded tight end Tyler Kroft also had himself a game, largely thanks to Wilson’s ability to deliver the ball accurately. Kroft caught a TD up the seam from Wilson for 18 yards, as the QB delivered the ball more on the back shoulder to protect Kroft from a huge hit at the goal line.