Zach Wilson has gone from hopeful franchise savior to now hovering around temporary afterthought in a matter of months. The second overall pick, slumping badly through his rookie season before being sidelined with a knee injury, has spent his weekends watching Mike White become a New York sensation with the Jets.
But even as White enjoys his surprising ascent as he gets ready for his third career start on Sunday, Wilson insists that he is enjoying White’s success as much as everybody else, and it hasn’t affected their relationship at all.
“It doesn’t even need to be talked about,” Wilson said Thursday, his first time speaking with the media in nearly three weeks. “That’s the coolest part. I think we both understand it’s part of the business of football. We both understand that I want to play and he wants to play, it’s just how it is. What’s the point of butting heads when we can help each other out?
“We’re naturally just really good friends as it is. I was pumped for him when he plays, and he’s pumped for me when I’m playing and doing well...it’s really cool. In college, you want the team to do well, but a part in your head says, 'oh man, I hope the backup doesn't do well.' But in the NFL, it's so different - I really do hope Mike does well. I hope the team wins. It’s just because of the business of it all.”
Wilson has had a front row seat for White’s surge, from his historic 405-yard performance in his first start to his impressive initial drives last Thursday, before he was sidelined with forearm discomfort. By watching White, Wilson believes he has found ways to improve his own game whenever he’s ready to make his return.
“His ability to eliminate, just quickly go through the process,” Wilson said. “His ability to not feel like he needs to force something, but he just takes what the defense gives him. I feel like my style of play needs to get more like that. It was the same thing in college. Maybe I forced things a little too much my freshman and sophomore year, but I found that valance by junior year. I found what risks were worth it and was still able to find those explosive plays, but still took care of the ball.”
Of course, Wilson’s return may no longer but dictated solely by his healthy anymore. White has helped the Jets offense improve as a whole, and the team could stick with him even when Wilson is healthy. But Wilson is going to embrace and support White regardless of the quarterback situation in New York.
“He deserves to do well,” Wilson said. “He’s been working his butt off. The whole situation has been a lot smoother than you’d think it would be. I think it’s only going to be beneficial for me in the long run.
“In college, you want the team to do well, but a part in your head says, 'oh man, I hope the backup doesn't do well.' But in the NFL, it's so different. I really do hope Mike does well.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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