NY Jets: Colin Cowherd compares Zach Wilson to Johnny Manziel

The NY Jets made the decision to move on from Sam Darnold and replace him with the highly-touted Zach Wilson this offseason. The move was praised by many, but at least one analyst believes the team made a grave mistake.

Colin Cowherd recently gave his predictions for the 2021 season projecting the record for every NFL team on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. And not only did he predict the Jets to finish last in the AFC East, but his comments about the team raised a few eyebrows.

Cowherd had the Jets finishing with a 5-12 record and as the only team in the AFC East to finish below .500. While he praised general manager Joe Douglas, his comments about Wilson were not so complimentary.

Likening him to famed draft bust Johnny Manziel, Cowherd had the following to say about Wilson and the "mess" that he expects the Jets to be this year.

"The Jets, I think it’ll be mostly a mess. I do not believe in Zach Wilson. I think he is the one quarterback out of the draft I have questions about. I see a lot of Johnny Manziel. I see a little bit of arrogance. I see a smaller athlete, who can make plays off schedule. But this roster, though they’ve improved significantly on the offensive line, because of the last two drafts — Joe Douglas, GM, has done a very good job — I don’t see the kind of playmakers you need."

Colin Cowherd

Colin Cowherd's criticism of the NY Jets and Zach Wilson is off base.

Where to begin with this one? Cowherd was one of Sam Darnold's biggest supporters, even up until his final days with the Jets.

He was outspoken about Darnold being his favorite quarterback from the 2018 NFL Draft class and believed that he had superstar potential. In fact, he still believes this.

With that in mind, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Cowherd disagreed with the Jets' decision to move on from Darnold. However, his criticisms of Wilson here are, quite frankly, absurd.

Cowherd refers to Wilson as a "smaller athlete" ignoring the fact that he's the same height as Justin Fields and Mac Jones (6-foot-2) and heavier than Trevor Lawrence (213 pounds).

Perhaps that mistaken comment is why Cowherd compares Wilson to the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Manziel. Or perhaps it's the "arrogance" that Cowherd speaks of that makes him draw that comparison.

Either way, it's safe to say that he will likely be the only reputable name making such a comparison.

Predicting the Jets to finish 5-12 is hardly an awful take. This is a team that finished the 2020 season 2-14 after losing 13 straight, after all. The roster and coaching staff look much better, but only time will tell just how much this team has improved.

But let's call a spade a spade. Cowherd's comments about Wilson carry no weight. Even if you dislike him as a prospect, it's fair to say that none of what Cowherd said is a reasonable criticism with any base in logic.

Sam Darnold proved Colin Cowherd wrong time after time with the Jets. Zach Wilson will be looking to do the same.