NY Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has come under intense scrutiny during his time with the organization. His struggles have amplified a growing sense that his time with the franchise has all but come to an end.
Perhaps the peak of that scrutiny came during his most recent — and perhaps final — performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars this past Thursday night.
Wilson was booed relentlessly almost from the very start of the game. The former No. 2 overall pick was eventually benched in favor of 27-year-old journeyman and practice squad member Chris Streveler in a move that essentially sealed Wilson's fate.
After the game, one "fan" decided it would be a good idea (it was not) to message Wilson's mom, Lisa, on Instagram with a needless, passive-aggressive message. Lisa didn't take too kindly to the message.
She replied in a now leaked Instagram DM calling the Jets' fan base "toxic."
"It's not possible for anyone to be successful here. Your fan base is toxic. Merry Christmas."Lisa Wilson
Zach Wilson's mom thinks NY Jets fans are toxic
Let's get one thing straight first. If you make the decision to message a player's family because you're not pleased with their performance on the field, you're a loser. There's no point in sugarcoating this. This is as lame as lame gets.
Wilson's mom has a right to be upset that this person (and likely many others, unfortunately) messaged her about her son's performance on a football field. Don't do that folks. Seriously.
That said, it's also fair to say that Wilson's shortcomings likely aren't a product of the Jets' fan base — one that is typically very supportive of their quarterbacks, past and present. The majority of Jets fans still actively cheer on ex-Jets draft picks like Sam Darnold and Geno Smith.
The criticism surrounding Wilson has been mostly warranted. The former second-overall pick has fallen well short of expectations with the Jets and the team seems likely to move on in the very near future.
Criticism is fair and expected. Messaging a player's family (or even the player themselves) is foolish and just plain stupid.
Has Zach Wilson been a disappointment with the Jets? Absolutely — and that's probably an understatement. But stay out of players' and their families' DMs. Don't be one of those people. Nobody likes those people.