Giants icon names main reason Zach Wilson has failed with Jets

Retired New York Giants legend, CBS Sports NFL analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist Tiki Barber suggested during Wednesday's edition of the WFAN "Evan and Tiki" program that game film shows New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has often "played scared" over the past three seasons. 

"The thing that’s held him back for the entirety of his career is his inability to take risks," Barber said about Wilson, according to Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "He fears failure. That’s what happens when you’ve been given things in life, and you don’t know how to deal with failure." 

Barber was among noteworthy members of the football community who ripped Wilson earlier this week after it was reported Monday that the 24-year-old was "reluctant" to start for the Jets again this season. 

Head coach Robert Saleh has since insisted on multiple occasions that Wilson "wants the ball," and Saleh is going back to the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft as his QB1 for this Sunday's home game against the 7-5 Houston Texans. 

Saleh benched Wilson twice last season and, more recently, sat the third-year pro during the Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Wilson spent the past two games as an inactive spectator and was publicly challenged by Saleh on Wednesday to "just let the thing rip" and "trust in your arm talent." 

Barber indicated Wilson needs to follow his coach's advice to avoid once again being relegated to third on the depth chart. 

"Failure is the most important thing anyone can experience," Barber continued while speaking about Wilson. "You suck for a little while, you figure out how not to suck, otherwise you’re not doing it. Zach is terrified of failing. He’s terrified of disappointing his team." 

Wilson can only disappoint teammates so much considering the 4-8 Jets essentially have no realistic chance of making the playoffs. He heads into Week 14 ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 30.3 adjusted QBR on the campaign, per ESPN stats, so he should realize that playing it safe across 10 games this season did him few favors leading up to this Sunday's matchup at MetLife Stadium.