Zach Wilson has been assured he will emerge from the “humbling” situation he is facing this season as a better player.
Wilson was drafted with the No.2 overall pick by the New York Jets in 2021 and was supposed to be their quarterback for the future. But he struggled during his first two seasons, prompting a trade with the Green Bay Packers for Aaron Rodgers.
It means Wilson faces the blow of being relegated to second string - but former Jets safety Erik Coleman is adamant it will be helpful for Wilson based on his own experiences as a young player.
“Obviously it’s going to be humbling, going from being the starter to being a backup, but I think, ultimately, it’s going to help him grow as a player,” Coleman told Daily Express US Sport.
“When I was young I had a lot of veteran players around me that helped me learn the game and helped me see the game from their eyes.
“I think having Aaron Rodgers next to him and in the room with him, holding on to his hip pocket is going to help Zach see the game better. Ultimately, he’ll become a better player because of it.”
Coleman knows exactly what it’s like to face Rodgers from a defensive standpoint having come up against him en route to winning Super Bowl XLV with the Packers. And he has laid bare the impact having the all-time great at quarterback will have on the Jets offense.
“It’s been very exciting,” he said. “To add Aaron Rodgers into the mix with this Jets team, it’s a great addition.
“I played against Aaron Rodgers in my career, he beat me on his way to the Super Bowl one year! He’s a fantastic player, a future Hall of Famer and the Jets already had the core. They’ve done a great job building up the defense, the offensive and defensive lines, and adding the quarterback into the fold, I think that’s the missing piece that the Jets need to get over the top.
“What makes it tough (to play against) is the Jets are traditionally a physical football team that likes to run the ball, but when you add Aaron Rodgers into the mix, he doesn’t allow you to add another safety into the box to stop the run.
“You need as much help as you can get on the back end now, so I think it’s going to open things up for the run game. I think with all the great receivers they picked up, you’re not going to be able to double just one receiver so it’s going to be advantageous for these receivers as well.
“I think you’re really going to see the offense open up, and if everyone stays healthy I think it’s going to be a positive season for the Jets. I definitely think the Jets are a big-time Super Bowl contender this year when you look at it.”
Coleman was speaking at Ealing Trailfinders Rugby club as it hosted the inaugural Championship event for the Jets and Bears NFL Girls Flag Football league. Having daughters of his own who play the game, Coleman hailed the work of the NFL introducing the game to this side of the pond.
“It’s beautiful to see all the girls out here playing Flag Football, seeing them getting involved in the game,” he said.
“It’s huge over in the US. My daughters play Flag Football, I grew up playing Flag Football. It’s a great way to get out here and get exercise and get accustomed to the game without the contact.
“It’s a great way to spread the game and a great way for girls to gain confidence and go out here and compete.”
