Zach Wilson is coming off a 2021 season where he didn’t play as well as expected.
His play during 2021, and the how ownership of the New York Jets always make bad moves, has some wondering if he’ll be the next Sam Darnold.
While ownership gives the best case for Wilson turning into the next Darnold, he can prevent this.
So what are the three reasons Wilson won’t become the next Sam Darnold.
3. Wilson Made Improvements During The Second Half Of The Season
While Wilson’s first six starts didn’t have many bright spots, his last seven games saw him making improvements.
Zach Wilson is the first #Jets rookie to go four games without throwing an interception.
I’d say that’s progress, especially when you consider he threw four INTs in Week 2 and had nine through five games.
He has two in his last six games.
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) January 3, 2022
However, those improvements came after he suffered an injury during the 2021 season.
But even after having an injury, he made adjustments and was more careful with the ball.
While these things were good for his touchdowns to interception ratio, he still needs some improvements
He’ll need more consistency in the passing yards department to help the Jets in 2022.
If he can work on that as well this season, he won’t be the next Darnold of New York.
2. Jets Would Be Making A Huge Mistake To Make Him Into Next Darnold
Wasting a first-round pick on Darnold was a mistake by the Jets in 2018.
If they allow for the same thing to happen with Wilson, then that 2021 first-round pick on him would be a waste as well.
However, the problem is with ownership not getting him help.
If they refuse to get him some top tier talent on offense, then they could easily turn him into the next Darnold.
But we saw earlier this offseason that the Jets were at least trying to get Wilson some help.
The Jets and Dolphins are in serious trade talks to acquire Tyreek Hill, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/PIDDDj4LJE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 23, 2022
While they attempted to get Tyreek Hill, they would end up failing to get him.
However, the Jets at least see they need to get Wilson some help to prevent him from becoming the next Darnold.
They know failing to do this will cause the ownership to look like fools yet again.
1. Wilson Has Plenty Of Time To Show He’s Worthy Of Staying In New York
We can’t put the second-year quarterback in the same boat with the former Jets starting QB so fast.
Darnold spent three years with the Jets before getting sent to Carolina.
That means the current young star in New York has at least two more seasons with the Jets.
This gives him plenty of time to show he’s worthy of staying with his team, and not get sent to another team in a trade.
With the time he has, he’ll need to keep improving his game play each game, no matter who he has to help him on offense.
If he can show this over the next two seasons, it gives him all he needs to show the Jets why they should keep him.
With Wilson set to team with this group of young receivers in 2022, he’ll have youth on his side in games.
If these young players can gel together this season, Wilson might surprise fans this year and stay away from becoming like Sam Darnold.
