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.