Jets QB Zach Wilson gets louder, bigger for his second NFL season
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) participates in drills during OTAs at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on May 24, 2022. Credit: Noah K. Murray
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Zach Wilson’s body and voice have gotten stronger.
The Jets’ young quarterback has gotten bigger this offseason and he’s been louder during the team’s voluntary OTAs. Robert Saleh sees both as important steps for Wilson as he prepares for his second NFL season.
“He’s thick,” Saleh said before the Jets took the field Tuesday. “He looks good. He looks confident. His shoulders are back, he’s not caved in. He looks good, he’s confident, he’s smiling, he’s vocal. I’ve said it before, you can always tell the confidence level and their understanding of what they’re being asked to do by the volume of their voice — and he’s getting pretty loud.”
Wilson has put on nearly 15 pounds since his rookie season ended. He said he’s on a nutritional program that’s helped him put on good weight and he feels great.
At end of last season, Wilson weighed 208 pounds. He’s up around 221, but he hopes to play at 218. Wilson notices a big difference in how he’s feeling, and said the additional weight is improving his quickness or athleticism.
“I feel better for sure,” Wilson said. “The energy, the ability to have that stamina throughout the whole practice I think is better. I just think in the long run once we get into a game where we’re getting hit and tackled, having some more size on me would help.
“I definitely feel like from past experiences of putting weight on that I feel more athletic, faster, the more weight, muscle that I put on. I feel like I’m a better athlete with more weight on me for some reason.”
The Jets went 4-13 last season, 3-10 in games Wilson played. They made major changes and improved on both sides of the ball.
The front office put particular emphasis on getting Wilson more weapons and more protection. Wilson’s availability and how he plays will determine whether this team can compete for the playoffs after missing out the past 11 seasons.
Wilson is confident the Jets will be better, and he will be as well.
“We’re definitely going to be better,” Wilson said. “I don’t think we’ll be able to tell until Game 1 of course. But you can tell the improvement is there. We have the talent. We have the guys. Now can we tie it all together and put something together?”
Wilson, who threw nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year, feels more comfortable in himself and the offense. His confidence comes from all the experiences last year and all the work he’s put in during the offseason.
He traveled around the country to train with and throw to some of his skill players. Wilson plans to gather them all in one spot in July to build more familiarity and chemistry before training camp.
Wilson’s teammates have noted how he’s showing more leadership and carrying himself differently. Saleh said Wilson is in a “great mental space.” Wilson also is putting more on his shoulders to turn around the franchise.
“From ownership down, I feel like those guys have done a great job of getting the pieces that we need,” Wilson said. “I think that comes back to my job. Now I need to do my job of getting these playmakers the ball. How can I get these big tight ends, these really good receivers, these running backs the ball in space and let them do what we brought them here to do?”
Wilson also has been making the rounds, attending other New York sporting events. He was at a Mets’ game this week. Wilson loves playoff hockey.
He was in Madison Square Garden for the Rangers’ first-round series clinching victory over the Penguins in Game 7. Wilson went to some Islanders’ playoff games last year. He loves the atmosphere and dreams about putting the Jets in position to host some playoff games.
“There’s a lot of passionate fans out here,” Wilson said. “It’s exciting. That’s what makes those moments fun. You want to be able to put on a good show for those guys. That’s what we’re working to do.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
