LOCALS IN THE NFL
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Says He’s Excited For Jets Rookie Zach Wilson
Aug 21, 2021, 6:03 PM
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) talks with New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during a joint training camp practice with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets at Ray Nitschke Field on August 19, 2021 in Ashwaubenon, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – 2020 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers said he was excited for former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson as he watched the rookie’s performance during the preseason game between the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers.
RELATED STORIES
The Packers hosted the Jets at Lambeau Field for the Week 2 preseason game on Saturday, August 21.
New York and Green Bay also practiced together during the week leading up to their exhibition.
Aaron Rodgers on Zach Wilson
Although Rodgers didn’t play against the Jets, the Packers quarterback joined NFL Network’s broadcast during the game.
During the interview, Kevin Harlan asked Rodgers what he thought of Wilson’s performance in the game and throughout the week.
“I got to know Zach a little bit in the offseason… He’s a good young kid,” Rodgers said. “He can throw the heck out of it.”
"He can throw the heck out of it."@AaronRodgers12 is impressed with what he sees from @ZachWilson 👏 pic.twitter.com/37lmCb47OI
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 21, 2021
Rodgers pointed out a specific pass by Wilson during the game in which he avoided pressured, moved out of the pocket, and hit Corey Davis with a 27-yard pass that resulted in a first down.
“He had a really nice through where he kind of broke the pocket, broke contain, moved to his right, threw it way down the right sideline, that’s the kind of stuff he’s gonna need to do,” Rodgers said of the play.
.@ZachWilson to @TheCDavis84 again! 💪
📺: #NYJvsGB on @nflnetwork (or check local listings) pic.twitter.com/k9eYVhxmkU
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 21, 2021
Wilson finished the game 9/11 passing for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
He recorded a 154.7 rating in New York’s 23-14 win.
The Jets improved to 2-0 in the preseason with the victory.
Zach Wilson throws an 18-yard strike for his first (preseason) touchdown as an NFL QB. #LocalsInTheNFL #NYJvsGB @kslsportspic.twitter.com/lOEQdJQ5P5
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) August 21, 2021
The Packers star said that during the week he advised Wilson to be prepare for some struggles during his first NFL season.
“You’ve got to be on your footwork,” Rodgers said he told Wilson. “There’s growing pains as a rookie, for sure.
New York’s final preseason game is against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, August 27 at 5:30 p.m. (MDT).
Wilson and the Jets start the regular season on the road against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 12 at 11 a.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on CBS.
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).
