Sauce Gardner is still confident Zach Wilson can be 'top-tier' NFL QB

Former NY Jets quarterback Zach Wilson still has his share of believers who think the former No. 2 overall pick could one day become a starting-caliber NFL quarterback.

Despite struggling through one of the worst three-year stretches to begin a career in recent NFL history, there are some who still believe Wilson has the talent to one day reach his ceiling in the league. Count Sauce Gardner among those who still believe in Wilson.

In a recent appearance on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long, Gardner was asked his thoughts on Wilson, now a member of the Denver Broncos. Gardner took the high road when discussing Wilson, speaking glowingly of his former teammate.

The two-time All-Pro cornerback insisted that he believes Wilson still has what it takes to be a "top-tier" quarterback in the NFL. His reasoning? He's seen Wilson play at a high level in practice and games before.

"“So I did practice against [Zach Wilson] for two straight years. I’ve seen him do some special things in games, so it’s like I know he can do it. So it’s just going to take something to get it out of him so this way this can become who he is, like, game in, game out, every day at practice, you know what I’m saying. I feel like he has all the tools that it takes to be a top-tier NFL quarterback"

- Sauce Gardner

Sauce Gardner remains one of Zach Wilson's biggest supporters

Wilson is hoping for a fresh start in Denver after a dismal three years with the Jets that saw him finish with 23 touchdowns, 25 interceptions, and a 57 percent completion percentage in 34 career games.

The Jets traded Wilson to the Broncos this offseason, and the former BYU star is expected to take part in a three-way competition for the starting quarterback job in what is widely believed to be the weakest QB room in the NFL.

Reports coming out of Broncos OTAs haven't been favorable to Wilson, however. Wilson is reportedly already a "distant third" in the competition and has struggled to keep up with rookie Bo Nix and veteran journeyman Jarrett Stidham, neither of whom have exactly been lights out either.

There's still time for Wilson to turn things around this summer, but the same inconsistencies that plagued him in New York seem to be an issue in Denver. Gardner isn't wrong about what he's saying, however.

Wilson does have all the physical tools necessary to be a really good quarterback at the NFL level. His issue has never been talent — it's been mental consistency.

Wilson has turnover issues, has been abysmal under pressure, and consistently struggles to complete the easy, routine passes. It's hard to be a starting quarterback in the NFL when that's the case.

Perhaps Zach Wilson will find a way to salvage an NFL career with his latest stint in Denver. He'll certainly have Sauce Gardner cheering him on back in Florham Park.