Jets QB Zach Wilson plans summer camp with his playmakers
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) throws a pass during OTAs at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Credit: Noah K. Murray
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Zach Wilson has already planned a summer get together with his skill players that will include training, football and some fun activities.
The Jets concluded their two-day minicamp on Wednesday, but Wilson has set up something for mid-July that he believes will help build chemistry with his backs and pass catchers.
“We’re going to meet up and we’ll get to do this whole thing where we kind of go through the scripts and throw together,” Wilson said. “More than anything, just be together and just go hang out. We’ll plan some fun activities for those guys.”
Wilson, the Jets’ second-year quarterback, has spent a lot of time throwing to his receivers this offseason away from team activities. Wilson traveled to Tennessee, Arizona and Florida before OTAs to work with his offensive playmakers and get to know them better.
This will be the first time they’re all together in one place, just the players, and Wilson said the time bonding will help this group most.
“I would not necessarily say it’s going to be the routes, the two days of throwing that’s going to be the most beneficial,” Wilson said. “It’s going to be us stuck in some house together for three days. Just getting to know each other, hanging out, talking just like we do. I think that’s going to be more important than anything.”
Jets coaches and players have noted how Wilson seems more comfortable as a leader on the field and off. Wilson is taking more ownership of the offense and the huddle.
Robert Saleh acknowledged that Wilson “had a rough rookie year,” and included himself in that assessment. But Saleh has been impressed with Wilson’s overall growth since last season and has no doubt he can be a special NFL quarterback — but it’s going to take time.
“I think Zach’s ceiling is exactly what I think he thinks his ceiling is which is no limit to what he thinks he’s capable of,” Saleh said. “I mean that genuinely. …. . . . Yeah, he’s a competitor. He wants explosive plays. He wants to be the best quarterback in the league Day 1. We all want to be the best at what we do. But for him it’s not about being the best today. It’s about being your best today.
“Whatever your best is today, trust that it’s good enough and that you can grow into whatever you are to maximize it. I believe it’s going to be special but just got to continue growing.”
The Jets have given Wilson more weapons and better protection to help him develop into the franchise quarterback they think he can be. Wilson believes he can be one of the best eventually.
“I have that confidence in myself,” he said. “I see the best play [of] the game and I think I can do the same thing right now. Maybe there’s glimpses of plays or whatever, but it is true — you have to ride out that process. You have to understand the process of where you’re trying to get [to] ultimately overall.
“I have to look at last year and the struggles and ups and downs are part of the process of getting better. Of course, I’m going to try and be the best right now but you have to understand it’s going to take time.”
Benton mum on DUI arrest
Offensive line coach John Benton would not address his DUI arrest in March. He said it’s a pending legal matter. Benton said he hasn’t been disciplined by the NFL “as of yet.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
