Tony Romo Delivered New York Jets Fans a Bright Promise About Zach Wilson’s Future
Tony Romo knows a thing or two about the quarterback position, especially in the NFL. Now a part of the CBS broadcasting team, his ability to prophesy about an upcoming play has drawn loads of praise. He’s calling his shot with another prediction that should make New York Jets fans excited and hopeful about their first-round draft pick.
“Zach Wilson will be a top 3-5 quarterback”
Romo has no shortage of praise for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Zach Wilson. Essentially unprompted, and with seemingly no reason to provide any sort of hot take, Romo waxed on about the talent and the upside Wilson will bring to New York.
“I actually think Zach Wilson with the Jets is going to turn that franchise around,” Romo told reporters on Wednesday, according to Yahoo.
“I think Zach Wilson is going to be in the discussion as one of the top three to five quarterbacks [in the league] very quickly. Within the next couple of years, I think you’re going to see him rise. I think he’s unbelievable. His ceiling is so high,” he continued.
That’s … a lot.
But wait, there’s more. Romo didn’t stop there:
“It’s rare for me to say someone has the ability to get in the stratosphere of a [Patrick] Mahomes, but I think this kid actually has that ability. So when you have a quarterback like that, I think there’s no telling how good you can be. He can make up for a lot of weaknesses in a lot of areas for a football team.”
What are you doing, Romo?
Wilson doesn’t need the added pressure
When the Jets made Wilson their first-round pick, taking him over Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones, they put their vote of confidence behind the BYU product to solve years of quarterback purgatory.
They also asked him to navigate the most relentless and ruthless media market in the world, throwing him into New York as a 22-year-old.
The last thing this rookie quarterback needs, already with heaps of pressure and learning to do before his Week 1 start, is a former NFL quarterback setting the bar for him to be the next Patrick Mahomes on a roster that is in no way similar to Kansas City.
Wilson had a great 2020 college football season
Heading into the 2020 college season, the unquestioned top two quarterbacks were Lawrence and Fields. Wilson was on essentially nobody’s radar as a top-tier quarterback option. Then he dazzled for an entire season.
Wilson’s freshman and sophomore seasons weren’t bad, but they weren’t great. As a freshman, he completed 65.9% of his passes for 1,578 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He didn’t improve much as a sophomore — 62.4 completion percentage, 2,382 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Then his junior year happened.
In a patchwork season marred by COVID-19 scheduling issues, Wilson lit it up to the tune of a 73.5 completion percentage, 3,692 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. He displayed an ability to improvise and throw from all platforms and arm angles, and he drew praise from pundits and NFL front offices alike.
Then, he put on a throwing session at his Pro Day that added fuel to the fire of him being considered for a top selection in the NFL draft.
Wilson had one great season in college against average-at-best competition. The media and fans alike have hyped him into the stratosphere, with Romo the latest example. If Wilson is slow out of the gate in his professional career, falling short of the lofty comparisons and expectations heaped upon him, the New York media circus will gladly make him the clown of their show.
