the jets not bringing in some kind of veteran journeyman QB backup that wilson can learn from was an odd non-choice in the summer.
It's odd, and I think it's a major issue. Wilson's problem isn't his talent or his arm. It's the boring short throws. Every young QB thinks he can make the big play (and why not? They did in college). But it's the short passes you have to excel on. First and 10 (defense gives your TE a 5-yard cushion). Second and 10 (screen is set up). Third and 5 (off coverage on one of your receivers). It's nice to have the occasional throw-it-on-the-run 50-yard pass, but chains are moved with those short plays. I envy what the Chiefs did with Mahomes because he has as much a gunslinger mentality as any QB that's ever played. But instead of throwing him out there day 1, they sat him behind Alex Smith and showed Mahomes how game management works. As a result, the Chiefs found the perfect balance: Mahomes can manage the short/intermediate stuff while still showing off his insane arm talent when needed. Like when the Ravens bring their blitz, Mahomes can do a crazy deep drop and then hit Hill for 50 yards. But he can also convert third and medium to Kelce. He might still do weird shit that fails (like the Ravens INT this year or that crazy 30-yard sack against the Dolphins), but he's at least "boring" enough normally not to be boom or bust. If Mahomes started day 1 on a bad team, we would've seen a lot more of the Super Bowl Mahomes: bad O-line play and nonexistent running game has him playing crazy backyard football. Even when the O-Line improved a bit, it was still hero-ball scrambling and backyard football, which isn't going to win you games in the NFL.
You can take your lumps with rookies but the fact that Wilson struggles badly on the routine (quick, short passes) signifies he's not really ready. He'll wow you on occasion with a deep ball (ala the Titans game) before missing a wide open receiver on third and medium. You just can't have that right now. I really wish the Jets worked on the simple stuff with him first before throwing him in there. The most exciting plays with him are when the plays break down and he heaves it downfield. Fine, it's exciting for many QBs. But what about that second and ten pass in the flat? Can he throw it consistently where the receiver can catch it and turn up field? I don't see it right now.
You're getting the boom and bust rookie gunslinger. It is what it is, but I don't want to him either get hurt taking too many risks or getting gun shy from mistakes. He's got by all accounts a great mentality, but the NFL chews out QBs like none other. The rookie coaching staff is tough for him too.
Really wish there could be a veteran QB he could learn from or to have played early. Even if you throw him in day 1, having an experienced QB on the sidelines and in practice to work on stuff would probably help. Oh well.
