Jets Q&A: How did Zach Wilson become first Jets QB to catch a TD pass?
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) makes a touchdown catch as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Credit: Gene J. Puskar
How did Zach Wilson become the first quarterback in Jets franchise history to catch a touchdown pass?
It was a brilliantly designed play by offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur that was executed perfectly by all involved. The Steelers totally bit on the fake.
Zach Wilson handed the ball to Garrett Wilson, running a sweep to the left. The defense went that way and Garrett Wilson flipped it to Braxton Berrios, who continued to the right. Completely unpressured, he lofted the ball to Zach Wilson, who was all alone in the end zone for the 2-yard TD catch in the second quarter.
“First I hand it and I see everyone flowing, and I’m like, ‘Oh, thank goodness,’ ” Zach Wilson said. “I got the best hands on the team, so.”
Berrios said, “You just hope everything goes well with the operation.”
What led to the changing of the guard and tackle?
The Jets made an unexpected change on the offensive line, moving Alijah Vera-Tucker from right guard to left tackle. Nate Herbig made his first start, replacing Vera-Tucker at guard.
Vera-Tucker said he was “kind of surprised” when the coaches asked him to play left tackle, which he did for a season at USC. He watched tape of the left tackles who have played the Steelers this season and some other players around the league.
“They said it was my decision,” Vera-Tucker said. “At the end of the day, I’m going to do what’s best for the team. That’s what I did.”
The Jets have had a revolving door on the offensive line because of injury. They lost tackles Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown in training camp. Left tackle George Fant went on injured reserve last week, and Conor McDermott replaced Fant in last week’s game.
The Jets decided to retool the line and shifted Vera-Tucker. “Just the combination with him and Herbig there at guard, we felt that would be a really stabilizing combination,” Robert Saleh said.
More changes likely are coming. Rookie right tackle Max Mitchell was carted off with a knee injury and was replaced by McDermott. “Eventually,” Saleh said, “that group has to get a run on luck with health and see if they can string together some games having the same group over and over again.”
How is Mitchell?
Saleh didn’t have an update, but Mitchell left the locker room on crutches.
What was Carl Lawson’s reaction to his roughing-the- passer penalty?
He was upset with himself and swore it won’t happen again.
It was a big play at the end of the first half and led to points for Pittsburgh. Mitch Trubisky’s Hail Mary was intercepted by Jordan Whitehead as time expired, but it was negated by Lawson’s personal foul. Because a half can’t end on a defensive penalty, it gave Chris Boswell a chance to attempt a 59-yard field goal, and he made it to cut the Jets’ lead to 10-6.
“I got to be more disciplined,” Lawson said. “Horrible. Could have cost my team the game. That’s something that won’t happen again. It was a bad mistake by me and it will not happen again.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
