While Aaron Rodgers will be the Week 1 starting quarterback for the New York Jets, Zach Wilson has gotten a lot of reps during the preseason. During Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wilson got the chance to show off his athleticism, and he did not squander it.
Wilson dropped back to pass but, while Tampa only used a three-man pass rush, the pocket collapsed around the quarterback. From there, Wilson improvised.
He spun out of a potential sack, then ran around two defenders. Wilson then ran down the sidelines for a while. He then tried to cut back in and was tackled. But before Wilson was finally brought down, he picked up 35 yards for the Jets.
.@ZachWilson WITH THE MOVES!!!
📺 #TBvsNYJ on WCBS pic.twitter.com/QLzqGwoPUC
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 20, 2023
NFL fans were impressed with the long scramble from the former No. 2 overall pick.
Zach Wilson did what? 👀pic.twitter.com/eZkaZ8k6eK
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 20, 2023
Put Zach Wilson at running back
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) August 20, 2023
Who the hell is this and what did they do with Zach Wilson? pic.twitter.com/pLTKELd0bC
— Football (@BostonConnr) August 20, 2023
.@ZachWilson makin' it look like a video game
📺 #TBvsNYJ on WCBS pic.twitter.com/CHNQGhJe4k
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 20, 2023
Maybe Zach Wilson should just never throw it pic.twitter.com/CUok7S6rku
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) August 20, 2023
Wilson’s long run set the Jets up for a field goal. He finished the game 9-for-13 with zero touchdowns or interceptions passing. On the ground, Wilson had two carries for 41 yards.
Things have not gone especially well for Wilson in his career, which is a big part of why the Jets traded for Rodgers in the offseason. But moments like this show why New York drafted him second overall in 2021.
