Patrick Mahomes: Zach Wilson ‘Played His Tail Off’ On Sunday Night Football
Oct 1, 2023, 9:50 PM | Updated: 10:45 pm

Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets congratulates Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs after the game at MetLife Stadium on October 01, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson received some praise from NFL star Patrick Mahomes after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football in Week 4.
Patrick Mahomes praises Zach Wilson
The Jets hosted the Chiefs at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, October 1.
Wilson played his best game of the season and was mostly mistake-free aside from a lost fumble in the fourth quarter.
Despite a good game from the former Corner Canyon High School standout, Mahomes was better in the closing minutes of the game.
@kslsportscom We saw growth from #ZachWilson both on and off the field on @SNF on NBC, says @Kyle Ireland. #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TakeFlight #Jets #BYUFOOTBALL ♬ original sound – kslsportscom
Mahomes and the Chiefs beat Wilson and the Jets, 23-20.
After the game, Mahomes gave Wilson a handshake and hug while the two had a short conversation.
heck of a battle, @ZachWilson & @PatrickMahomes 🤝 pic.twitter.com/qdcQ0n52vc
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 2, 2023
Following the moment between the quarterbacks, Mahomes was interviewed on the Sunday Night Football postgame show.
“Zach played his ass of, man,” the Super Bowl MVP said.
Patrick Mahomes had high praise for Zach Wilson after the Chiefs win over the Jets.#SNF #BYU #BYUFootball @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/35H3eBdJmH
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) October 2, 2023
"Zach played his ass off, man."
Nothing but respect between these two 🤝 @PatrickMahomes | @ZachWilson pic.twitter.com/oKX9TdScgQ
— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2023
“He played his tail off, he battled. We have a good defense and he made a lot of big-time throws into the windows and down the field,” Mahomes added. “I’ve watched him since his BYU days so I was proud of him to go out there and show out. But luckily, we got the win in the end.”
Patrick Mahomes on Zach Wilson’s play against the Chiefs on SNF:
“He played his tail off, he battled. We have a good defense and he made a lot of big time throws into the windows and down the field. I’ve watched him since his BYU days so I was proud of him to go out there and…
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 2, 2023
Wilson finished the contest 28/39 passing for 245 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball twice for 14 yards. Wilson was sacked twice and lost a fumble. The third-year pro posted a rating of 105.2.
"If he plays like that, we're gonna win a lot of football games."
Coach Saleh on QB Zach Wilson pic.twitter.com/idoxH4Qz1e
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 2, 2023
Zach Wilson’s Touchdowns
With 10:40 remaining in the third quarter, Wilson connected with Allen Lazard for 10 yards and six points. It was Wilson’s second touchdown pass of the game. After the touchdown, the quarterback scrambled and dove for a two-point conversion.
Wilson’s touchdown and two-point conversion tied the game at 20-20.
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 2, 2023
Wilson’s first touchdown came with 6:26 left in the first half. The former BYU star floated a pass to the far corner of the end zone and into the hands of Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah. The one-yard touchdown cut Kansas City’s lead to 17-12.
.@ZachWilson throws his third touchdown pass of the season. #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #SNF #TakeFlight #KCvsNYJ #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/LOX7n3J7bT
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 2, 2023
Wilson entered the contest having thrown for 467 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions this season.
With the loss, the Jets fell to a 1-3 record this season. The team has lost its last three games.
QB Zach Wilson on building off tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/hNsLtZSSdc
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 2, 2023
New York’s next game is on the road against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, October 8 at 2:25 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on CBS and NFL Sunday Ticket.
About Zach Wilson
Before his time in the NFL, the Corner Canyon High School product had a standout career at BYU. Wilson helped the Cougars to an 11-1 record during his final season in Provo.
Following his college career, the Jets selected Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
During the quarterback’s rookie season, Wilson missed four games due to a knee injury. He finished the year throwing for 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 55.6 completion rate.
.@ZachWilson keeps it and runs it in for a go-ahead @nyjets touchdown. ✈️
It’s the first rushing TD of Wilson’s NFL career.#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #NYJvsHOU #TakeFlight #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/qV0UkKvTxQ
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) November 28, 2021
Before his second season, the former BYU star underwent surgery after suffering a knee injury in New York’s preseason opener. Without Wilson, the Jets opened the 2022 season with a 1-2 record. After returning, the Jets posted a 5-2 record before Wilson was benched for the first time. After a month on the sidelines, Wilson returned to action for a couple of contests before he was benched again.
.@ZachWilson tosses a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, who makes an UNREAL catch. 🤯#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TakeFlight #BUFvsNYJ #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/GePRzFbgGo
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) September 12, 2023
Last season, the Jets posted a 7-10 record and missed the NFL Playoffs.
RELATED: Zach Wilson Discusses Taking Over As New York Jets’ Starting QB
Wilson finished the 2022 season having thrown for 1,688 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions with a 54.5 percent completion rate. He has a rating of 72.9 and a QBR of 37.1. The Jets missed the playoffs with a 7-10 record.
During his first two seasons in the league, Wilson passed for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. He also ran for 287 yards and five touchdowns.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl), and Threads (@kyleirelandksl).