Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson voted a team captain

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Zach Wilson doesn’t only have the admiration and respect of the Jets coaches and front office. The young quarterback already has earned that from his peers as well.

It’s not often that a rookie is voted a team captain, but the Jets’ players named Wilson one.

"It’s definitely an honor," Wilson said Wednesday. "It’s a role you definitely have to take seriously, who people look up to on the team, they feel like they came to with any problems or questions that come about. I definitely don’t take it lightly. I thought it was cool."

Wilson and receiver Corey Davis were voted as offensive captains, linebacker C.J. Mosley and tackle Foley Fatukasi are the defensive captains and Justin Hardee from special teams. Saleh also said each week there would be one nomination from the coaching staff.

The Jets open the season on Sunday in Carolina against their former quarterback and captain Sam Darnold and the Panthers.

Davis said it felt "amazing" being named a captain in his first year with the Jets, and that evolving into more of a leader was one of his goals. The former Titan also said that he wasn’t surprised that Wilson was chosen as well.

"He’s a young dude, but he’s ready to lead," Davis said. "The team wouldn’t have voted him to be a captain if he wasn’t ready and if he didn’t show something that showed he would be a good leader. He’s been doing that all camp, extra work, doing a lot of things that people don’t see. I think he’s ready for it."

"He’s made huge strides of just taking ownership of the team and leading not only vocally but by example. I think he’s going to be a great captain for us, a great leader and he’s going to do great things for us."

The Jets believe the ceiling for Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the draft, is sky high. He has impressed everyone in the organization with his work ethic, approach and demeanor. His physical skills already jumped out on film.

Robert Saleh also wouldn’t say he was surprised that Wilson was voted captain. But the first-year coach did say to himself, ‘Oh, look at that.’

Saleh said Wilson has an "infectious personality" and he spends time in the cafeteria with his offensive linemen and other position groups. Wilson said knowing his teammates’ "story" is something he’s always made a conscious effort of doing.

"Something I’ve tried to work on is my personal emotional connections with guys off the field," Wilson said. "Everything is business when we’re here. On the field you want to be that guy that they can look to but off the field you want to be somebody that actually gets to know them and understands their background, where they come from. That’s super important."

Wilson’s popularity extends beyond the Jets’ building. Many NFL analysts, including those who have played Wilson’s position, believe he has greatness in his future – and in some cases the very near future.

Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, now a CBS analyst, compared to Wilson to Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. Romo also said he thinks Wilson will be "one of the top three-to-five quarterbacks very quickly."

Wilson appreciated the compliment, but the only thing he’s thinking about is trying to beat the Panthers on Sunday.

"Romo can’t tell the future and everything that’s going on," Wilson said. "It’s very nice of him to say that stuff. I think Tony was a great quarterback when he played, so it’s awesome. But it goes back to what I’ve said, don’t take the highs too high and the lows too low. You can’t let things like that disrupt you.

"It’s cool and it’s great to hear but at the same time you got to handle what you got to handle, keep getting better and taking it a day at a time."