Jets GM Joe Douglas Discusses Zach Wilson, Comments By Steve Young
Apr 6, 2021, 4:17 PM
New York Jets General Manager Joe Douglas speaks to the media following New York Jets Training Camp on August 3, 2019 at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, NJ (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas discussed former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson during a press conference after the organization traded Sam Darnold.
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The Jets are now in need of a franchise quarterback after they traded Darnold to the Carolina Panthers on April 5.
One day later, Douglas spoke to the media about the trade and fielded questions from reporters.
“What did you think of Steve Young’s comments on the radio? Apparently he did some detective work and spoke to some members of the coaching staff and he said the Jets are ‘committed to Zach Wilson,'” one media member asked the GM.
“Steve’s plugged in to BYU pretty well,” Douglas replied.
The general manager continued by discussing his trip to Provo for BYU’s Pro Day in late March. At the Pro Day, Douglas, Jets head coach Robert Saleh, and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur watched Wilson workout in front of other NFL executives and scouts.
“It was good being out there at the Pro Day and just had an opportunity to speak to his representatives, say hello to a couple members of his family quickly,” Douglas said. “BYU put on a great Pro Day for the entire NFL. First class. First class organization and it was a good day out there. You know, like I said, we’re excited about this class and we’re excited about this quarterback class. So we still have a lot of our process left in these three-plus weeks leading up to the draft and a lot of productive conversations, conversations in the future, coming up.”
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 5, 2021
“And you’re recruiting his family like he said,” the reporter asked in a follow-up question.
“I had a brief conversation with with his agent, his father at the Pro Day,” Douglas answer. “It was a good conversation. It was good to say hello to them.”
Yards After College Podcast: NBC Sports' Peter King on Zach Wilson & the 2021 NFL Draft https://t.co/VA90tM69rd
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 30, 2021
To close the press conference, Douglas was asked if the team was leaning towards taking a quarterback with the No. 2 pick.
“I would say that’s a fair assessment,” the general manager responded.
Steve Young on Zach Wilson
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Former BYU and NFL quarterback Steve Young recently said that he believes Wilson is a “generational talent.”
Young discussed Wilson and the NFL Draft during an interview with KNBR.
“I believe he’s kind of a generational talent,” Young said of Wilson. “That’s more than just how he throws the football. It’s just his demeanor and his capabilities, even though he’s younger. I just, I really believe in the kid.”
Young said that despite Wilson’s youth, he believes the future rookie quarterback is ready to play in the NFL.
“I think he’s ready to play now,” Young said. “There’s gonna be some growing pains… but he’s ready to play. He’s a settled kid, he’s not going to be overwhelmed in a way.”
“I think he’s ready to play now… He’s a settled kid. He’s not going to be overwhelmed in a way.” – Steve Young on Zach Wilson #LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #NFL #FTTB #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/rGVzUvN1Uj
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 4, 2021
Young also discussed Wilson potentially falling to his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, who own the No. 3 overall pick. He also said that the Jets were already “committed” to the soon-to-be rookie.
“There’s no question in my mind that if they can figure out how to get back, that’s their number one first choice,” Young said. “I just don’t know how to get it done. The Jets have committed to Zach and recruited the family. I mean, I just I don’t know how that gets undone…. I think the Zach would love it. The family would love it. You know, nothing would make anyone happier. I think the 49ers that’s their unstated first choice, so that would be wonderful… they would love to have Zach.”
New York Jets
The Jets traded Darnold a week and half after seeing Wilson throw during BYU’s Pro Day.
During the Pro Day, Douglas and Wilson had a conversation on the field of BYU’s Indoor Practice Facility.
Well, that was some show Zach Wilson put on today at the BYU pro day. 😳
Joe Douglas and the #Jets got a really good look at the QB who could go No. 2 overall. Surely had feelings about him (either way) reinforced today. pic.twitter.com/9Pwoz7ECcB
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) March 26, 2021
After the Pro Day, Wilson was asked about his interactions with the Jets throughout the draft process.
“Great staff, love those guys. Joe Douglas is a great guy and it was good to see him out here. They got a good thing going,” Wilson said.
Zach Wilson on the interactions he's had with Joe Douglas and the Jets' coaching staff:
"Great staff, love those guys. Joe Douglas is a great guy and it was good to see him out here. They got a good thing going" pic.twitter.com/BKwWkZUZdn
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) March 26, 2021
After the event, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler received a text from an NFL scout who was in attendance.
“Draft starts at 3. Wilson going 2,” Brugler tweeted of the message he received.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 5, 2021
2021 NFL Draft
Wilson will find out which team he’ll play for during the 2021 NFL Draft in April.
The draft is scheduled to be held in Cleveland, Ohio from April 29-May 1. It will broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
