NY Jets 2021 Report Card: Grading Zach Wilson's rookie season

NY Jets, Zach Wilson
NY Jets, Zach Wilson / Al Pereira/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Zach Wilson has wrapped up his first season in the NFL. Wilson, who was selected second overall by the NY Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft, was named the team's starter almost immediately.

This season wasn't perfect, but to say it was altogether bad, would be 100 percent wrong. How did Wilson grade out in his rookie season?

Zach Wilson's rookie season

First and foremost, let's take a look at Zach Wilson's rookie season. Wilson led the Jets to a 3-10 record as a starter, completing 213 of 383 attempts. Wilson also threw for 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

On top of that, Wilson managed to gain 185 rushing yards on 29 attempts while rushing for four touchdowns on the year. Obviously not ideal numbers for a rookie quarterback, but there are reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Wilson made his debut in Week 1 when the Jets took on their former quarterback, Sam Darnold, and the Carolina Panthers. Wilson finished his debut game with 258 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Solid numbers for Wilson's first-ever NFL game.

Unfortunately, Wilson got hurt against the Patriots in Week 7 and remained out until Week 12. In Wilson's first game back, he secured the victory over the Houston Texans on the road, scoring his first rushing touchdown during that game.

Zach Wilson: What lies ahead for the NY Jets QB

Zach Wilson showed promise as a rookie, even through the struggles. This is something that Jets fans, like myself, should be very happy about. There are a lot of young guns on this team who, if coached right, could make for a very good team in a few years.

A lot of NFL analysts and media outlets are painting the Jets to have a similar rebuild as the Cincinnati Bengals, who are in the Super Bowl this year. However, this all starts at the top. Wilson is going to have to be the quarterback the Jets have been waiting a very long time for if they are to compete.

Next. 2022 NFL Mock Draft: NY Jets build around Zach Wilson, 3 QBs in the first round. dark

It's no secret that Wilson didn't have the greatest year, but the numbers he put up are solid enough for a rookie, especially under a new coaching regime. Wilson put up respectable numbers this season and showed the world why he very well might be the Jets QB1 for years to come.

Grade: B