Zach Wilson returns, possibly wiser for his time on the sidelines

Zach Wilson finally exited the recovery chamber and is ecstatic to return after missing four weeks with a sprained PCL.

“It’s awesome. I’m excited,” Wilson said. “That rush, that feeling you get just to be back on the field. It’s exciting. I’m happy to be back with the guys.”

Wilson isn’t worried about the rust or the mental hurdles that injuries can cause.

“I feel 100% confident in my ability to go out there and play football how I need to play football,” Wilson said.

Being sidelined will only improve his ability to read and attack defenses, the rookie QB said Wednesday.

When the No. 2 pick played, he held the ball the longest among starting quarterbacks at 3.10 seconds on average, according to Next Gen Stats.

The main reason why: He was trying to make plays and push the ball down the field. That’s why his intended air yards per attempt was 8.8, sixth highest in the NFL. He rarely took checkdowns, something Josh Johnson, Mike White and Joe Flacco did a better job of.

Robert Saleh called it “boring football,” and meant it as a compliment, saying that’s how the offense stays on track.

Wilson agrees with that thought process, but wouldn’t label it dull.

“I wouldn’t call it boring football. Just play football the way it should be played,” Wilson said. “Make the decisions that they’re giving you. If they’re not giving us the one down the field, I understand what we’re calling the play for and be able to get the ball to your playmakers underneath.”

Saleh always believed sitting was beneficial for Wilson because the rookie could have the opportunity to watch other quarterbacks run the offense.

“I think he sees that it can be effective,” Saleh said. “Even Mike (White) and even Joe (Flacco) in the game were like, ‘Hey, it’s okay, you can progress, get rid of walking through check. You don’t have to wait all the time.’”

Wilson seconded his coach.

“Watching what the other guys have been through. Figure out things I could have done better, things that the other quarterbacks could have done better,” Wilson added. “What they did do well. Watching how they process things and maybe talking about how I would have looked at it… So it was awesome.”

But Saleh also knows there’s a balance in that because you don’t want to completely resist Wilson’s electric ability.

“There’s such a balance because you don’t want Charlie Checkdown, right? You don’t want guys to just look for the check down every time,” Saleh said. “One of his super strengths is that he can push the ball downfield and get it at any part of the football field at any time.”

In his first six starts, Wilson played like he was still in college, a backyard playmaker trying to create the explosive gain. It worked occasionally.

Two of his four touchdowns were out of structure. Some of his best plays were also like his 54-yard off platform throw to Keelan Cole in the Titans win, that traveled 56 yards in the air according to NGS.

But that also led to trouble, like the first Patriots game where he tossed four interceptions. Some were forced throws; others came on plays where holding the ball and taking a sack would have been smarter.

It’s worth saying again and again: These growing pains are normal for a rookie.

“I think that’s something I’m still gonna be figuring out too as I come back,” Wilson said. “I think that’s something I have figured out more, the ability to eliminate if something just doesn’t look good. I need to trust in a trust what I’m seeing and just say ‘That doesn’t look good, let me let me get the ball out over here.’”

Wilson’s first opponent is the 2-8 Houston Texans.

The Texans are allowing 255 yards passing and 27 points per game, both rank in the bottom third of the NFL. They did play an exceptional defensive game against the Titans, who came in fifth in scoring, holding them to 13 points in a win. The unit snagged four interceptions against Ryan Tannehill in the process.

The Texans also held the Dolphins to 17 points, but it was against Jacoby Brissett, so take that with a grain of salt.

Regardless of who he’s facing, Zach is back. The Jets and their fans get another look at the No. 2 overall pick Sunday.

Source: Berkshire mont