Zach Wilson no better than Sam Darnold through 19 games
NEW YORK (BVM) –In 2018, the New York Jets selected Sam Darnold No. 3 overall. In 2021, they selected Zach Wilson No. 2 overall.
Wilson is still 23 years old and not even halfway through his rookie contract, but is it too early to compare him to his predecessor?
It is clear that the duo of Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh have gotten the Jets’ organization back on the right track, but questions are louder than ever on the team’s quarterback.
While Darnold’s tenure obviously wound up being disappointing, would things have been different if he was placed in this system, with these players and this coaching staff?
Here is the breakdown of the numbers of Zach Wilson and Sam Darnold through 19 career games:
Zach Wilson: 8-11 record, 56.2 completion %, 3,536 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 16 interceptions and a 71.4 QB rating.
Sam Darnold: 5-13 record, 59.5 completion %, 4,172 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 24 interceptions and a 76.6 QB rating.
To be blunt, Darnold did more with less.
Douglas has made it a priority to surround Wilson with talent.
He acquired playmakers in Breece Hall, Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson in the draft. Via free agency, he brought in multiple tight ends with Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah to give the offense more flexibility. As far as the offensive line goes, he has done his best, but injury after injury has derailed the unit.
With all that being said, the main person to blame for Zach Wilson’s struggles is Zach Wilson.
While the offensive line in front of him is not the best in all of football, it is drastically better than what Darnold was given.
The most frequently used offensive line in Darnold’s rookie season in 2018 from left to right was Kelvin Beachum-James Carpenter-Spencer Long-Brian Winters-Brandon Shell.
Four years later, three-fifths of that line are not rostered on a NFL team.
Darnold’s No. 1 receiver for most of his time with the Jets was Robbie Anderson, who would likely slot behind Garrett, Moore and Corey Davis on the current depth chart.
Only two years older than Zach, Darnold’s chances of being a NFL starter have likely vanished.
Obviously there has to be accountability on Darnold’s end for his play over his career, but one thing is for sure, the Jets never gave him a chance.
In the case of Zach, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
While he still has some time to figure things out, the Jets’ front office could have an important decision to make when it comes to the QB position in 2023.
