Zach Wilson knows he has gone from potential franchise quarterback of the Jets to backup for a reason.
Wilson was benched in his second year as a starter and now finds himself as the backup to Aaron Rodgers after the Jets made a blockbuster trade in April.
Wilson said he is embracing the opportunity to learn from Rodgers, who he has idolized.
“Of course I wish things had gone differently the past two years and I would have played amazing,” Wilson said. “But I truly believe everything happens for a reason.”
Wilson said Rodgers has been a great mentor this spring.
“I’m very appreciative of him and how much he is willing to help me because he doesn’t need to be that vocal,” Wilson said. “He is an amazing friend and, obviously, such an amazing quarterback. I am learning a lot of football.”
Wilson and Rodgers have known each other for a few years and Wilson said the two even spent time together in January in California before it was clear Rodgers was going to be a Jet.
For Wilson, this was the best quarterback to play behind.
“At first you’re not always happy about that but I’m extremely psyched that out of any quarterback we could have brought in, it was him,” Wilson said.
Wilson said this has been a humbling experience.
“This game will definitely do that to you,” Wilson said. “I think everything happens for a reason. Am I going to have this opportunity to learn from the greatest quarterback of all time and this staff if things didn’t happen the way they did? I’m very optimistic about it.”
