Jets quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Aaron Rodgers are… actually getting along? Wilson gave Rodgers a shout-out after the Hall of Fame Game, because that's what friends do.
*whispers* The New York Jets hype for 2023 could be real.
On Thursday night, the Jets played the Cleveland Browns in the Hall of Fame Game in an exhibition match that featured mostly second- and third-stringers from both teams. For the few minutes that Zach Wilson was on the field, a few miraculous things occurred.
For starters, he didn't get booed — but then again, this was Canton, not Jersey.
Wilson played the first three series of the game — 11 plays in total — before taking a seat on that oh-so-familiar bench. He finished with 3-of-5 pass completions for 65 yards, and a huge chunk of those yards came from one impressive throw.
Backed up nearly into his own end zone, Wilson heaved a 57-yard deep ball to Malik Taylor on the left sideline, who secured the catch and kept the Jets' offensive drive alive.
New York ended up losing, 21-16, but Wilson's singular throw was admittedly very memorable — and naturally became the hot topic of discussion when the 2021 first-rounder got swarmed by reporters after the game.
Zach Wilson being Zach Wilson could have taken the credit all for himself. In an early sign that proves Wilson is now a reformed man, the young quarterback credited Aaron Rodgers for that play.
Jets QB Zach Wilson gives Aaron Rodgers his due
Rodgers wasn't wearing the headset during the game, yet it was implied that Rodgers proposed the long ball play to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Could it be? Could Wilson have learned the virtues of humility in the span of just a few months under Rodgers' wing?
On Wilson's birthday, the day that is supposed to be all about him, he smiled into the cameras and told reporters Rodgers had made a "great call." That same day, Rodgers had posted a somewhat patronizing message to Wilson on social media wishing his "lil bro" a happy birthday. All of this makes it seem like the Jets are one big happy albeit slightly weird family in 2023.
We'd like to believe this perceived character change in Wilson is in part due to our assumption that he watched the Barbie movie this summer. A little over a year ago, Wilson stood before the media with his black face paint and squinty eyes and said, without a beat, that he did not let his defense down. In 2023, he looks more liberated, a confident but not arrogant man, secure and wholesome vibes emanating from his Ken-body as he shares an epiphany he had when he was in the Patriarchy spending time with older moms and horses and…. yeah, never mind. Football season is starting soon.