GREEN BAY, Russia. – Another test, another approval note for Zach Wilson.
In fact, that was an advantage for the rookie Jets quarterback.
Wilson looked ready for the NFL in his second preseason game, completing 9 of 11 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets ’23-14 victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday. Wilson read the field well, made a nice, unbalanced throw, and never seemed baffled. The only blow was the level of competition he faced. The Packers rested almost all of their starters, as the Giants did a week earlier in Wilson’s first preseason game.
We don’t put him in Canton yet, but the Jets and their fans should be encouraged by Wilson’s appearance in his second half in front of a live defense.
Although the competition was not top notch, Wilson showed promising traits. He made good decisions, advanced in his readings, and led the Jets to three scores in four series. Wilson showed a connection with top receiver Corey Davis (four catches, 70 yards) and connected with tight end Tyler Kroft for two touchdown passes.
Wilson showed what kind of day it was going to be in his second pass of the match. He hit Davis to gain 24 yards to convert a third and eight. This unit stalled and the Jets scored a 54-yard field goal from Matt Ammendola to take a 3-0 lead.
The Jets didn’t do much in their second unit, but Wilson fell in love with his third set. He found Davis with a 14-yard gain and then made his best throw of the day. He turned slightly left, ran his eyes across the field, and found Davis wide open along the right side line. Without having his feet set, Wilson threw a 27-yard pass to the Packers ’16-yard line.
Three plays later, Wilson reposted his first read and found Kroft in midfield for an 18-yard touchdown, his first touchdown pass of the preseason.
Kickback Ballerine Corey Ballentine set up Wilson’s fourth drive with an initial 73-yard return to Green Bay 30. After two 6-yard runs by Ty Johnson, Wilson reconnected with Kroft for an 18-touchdown. yards and a 17-14 Jets lead with 1:53 left for the first half. That ended Wilson’s Day.
While Wilson was a reason to smile for the Jets, the team’s defense had some issues against the Packers ’backups. Neither Aaron Rodgers nor Jordan Love played, and third-string quarterback Kurt Benkert seemed too comfortable against the Jets ’initial defense.
Benkert led two touchdowns in the first half while the Jets starters were on the field. Green Bay opened with an eight-and-eight play that ended with rookie runner Kylin Hill running for the outside of the Jets defense and avoiding a John Franklin-Myers attack for a 12-yard touchdown.
The Jets were again picked by Benkert in a 19-play, 81-yard partial that was aided by a hold-up call against CJ Mosley in the third. Benkert chose rookie corner Isaiah Dunn, who was Bless Austin’s replacement. Benkert threw a nice contact pass to Jace Sternberger, who found an opening between safety Marcus Maye and corner Bryce Hall.
After losing defensive end Carl Lawson for the season in a joint practice with the Packers on Thursday, it looks like the Jets may have suffered another serious injury in the game. Winger Jarrad Davis had to be moved to the locker room during the first half with an ankle injury. It is unclear how serious the injury is, but it did not go well.
After five days in Green Bay during two joint practices and the game, the Jets are now back in New Jersey, where they will practice Tuesday and Wednesday with the Eagles before playing in Philadelphia in the final preseason game.
The Jets open the regular season against the Panthers in three weeks. On Saturday, Wilson seemed to be right on time.