Jets players share fascinating Zach Wilson update

New York Jets offensive players are singing the praises of recently-reinstated starting quarterback Zach Wilson ahead of this Sunday's home game against the 7-5 Houston Texans. 

"Zach Wilson has been absolutely killing it in practice this week," Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post heard from Jets players. "Smiling. Joking with his teammates. Having more fun than he’s had in his three seasons with the team that have included three benchings [since November 2022]."

Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett lauded Wilson's resilience on Thursday after the 24-year-old spent the past two games as a benched spectator. It seems everyone involved has put Monday's report that claimed Wilson was reluctant to resume his starting duties behind them, and he now will attempt to salvage whatever may be left of a Jets career that began when they made him the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. 

"I think you’re going to see a good version of Zach Wilson in these next five games," Jets tight end Tyler Conklin remarked. "He was throwing the ball really well [on Thursday]. He made some good reads, had a couple nice no-look [passes]."

One couldn't blame fans for forgetting what a "good version of" Wilson looks like considering ESPN stats show he enters the weekend ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 30.4 adjusted QBR on the season. The hope now is that Wilson will realize he has nothing to lose and will play with a fire and a self-belief rarely seen from the third-year pro. 

"At the beginning of the week when he started taking [first-team] reps again, it felt a little different," Jets offensive tackle Max Mitchell added about Wilson. "...On a couple of them, I kind of looked around and was like, 'Wow, those were pretty damn good throws.' He just looked good."

As of early Friday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Jets as 3.5-point underdogs against the Texans. Perhaps Wilson can make believers out of detractors and sportsbooks before Sunday evening arrives.