Analysis
10/7/22
9 min read
Coach Em' Up: An Open Letter to Jets QB Zach Wilson
Dear Zach,
A belated congratulations on your fourth-quarter comeback on Sunday against a very good Steelers defense. Rallying your team from a 10-point deficit to improve to 2-2 was not easy, and is a great start in your return to the lineup from injury.
During the game, there were so many positive signs that continued to show up in your play. But there were also errors throughout the game that are frankly inexcusable, but correctable on many levels. Now, with so much positive noise around you and your team, you cannot allow the win over the Steelers to hide your deficiencies and blind you from improving as the season progresses.
You have all the talent, Zach, but as you know, there is so much more to becoming an elite player. I want nothing more than for you to succeed, and this letter is written with the sole purpose of helping you get better each day.
I recognize that your performance this year is limited to just one game, but after seeing every pass you threw against Pittsburgh, we have clues regarding where you are relative to your performance in 2021, and how you can improve.
Let’s start by looking at the positives I observed in 2021 that also were evident last week against Pittsburgh:
- There is no question that you have NFL arm talent to make all the throws.
- You showed significant athleticism to get the ball up and out quickly.
- You are without question courageous and tough.
Even amidst an uneven showing for three quarters of Sunday’s game, these qualities were validated:
- In the first quarter on third-and-7 from your own 33, you threw a perfectly accurate 25-yard laser cross-field on a comeback to Elijah Moore.
- Then, on the first play of the second quarter, you stood strong in the pocket, showing your undeniable toughness and courage to deliver the ball accurately across the middle to Moore.
- You came back with a well-designed trap pass to Tyler Conklin on an accurate ball that was up and out quickly after the fake.
- Later, your third-and-5 conversion from your own 30-yard line showed how quick your feet are, how accurate and on time you can be with a three-quarter delivery, and yet again how courageous you can be in the pocket.
These flashes of high-level play in the first three quarters combined with your 10-of-12 passing performance in the fourth quarter illustrate why the Jets organization has put its faith in you.
However, throughout the game and even through a clutch fourth-quarter performance, there were still plays that were unacceptable for an NFL quarterback.
Let’s look back at a few of your critical miscues from this past Sunday:
- In the second quarter, you were both accurate and inaccurate. There was an errant throw on a quick screen, a reckless throw out of bounds that was almost intercepted, and a completely ill-advised 'jump pass' when you were backed up on first down and had to leave the pocket.
- On third-and-14, on a deep out to Garrett Wilson, your footwork was poor. You took an extra hitch and the ball was late, allowing the defender to undercut the pass. This defender dropped the ball, and it should have been picked.
- With 33 seconds left in the second quarter, up 10-3 and with your defense playing well against an unproductive Steelers offense, you carelessly threw an interception on a deep cross to Jeff Smith with three defenders in the area. Zach, at this point in the game, you must have situational awareness, and this cannot happen. Why?
- You were in field goal range with the opportunity to go up two scores at half, and the two things you cannot do in that situation are take a sack or throw a pick.
- There was nothing about the coverage you faced that would tell you to throw this ball, and your decision gifted the opponent three points.
- The result was a six-point swing and momentum for Pittsburgh heading into the third quarter.
- All this, combined with a later interception — which was an awkward, high, sidearm throw through Conklin’s hands and into the arms of All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick for a defensive score — gave the Steelers a 13-10 lead with 8:53 to play in the third quarter.
Between those last two plays, you essentially gave the Steelers nine points due to poor game management and ill-advised turnovers.
Perhaps the toughest part of the second half was watching you make a late throw down the right sideline with a two-deep safety look. This was not a two-deep hole shot on three-step shotgun rhythm. This was a play where you started left, came back late to the right, then recklessly threw the ball under pressure. With two other interceptions in this game, you were fortunate not to turn it over here for a third time.
Later, on a third-and-13 with 10:34 left in fourth quarter, the pass rush forced you to scramble right. Instead of sliding, you delivered your right shoulder into the tackling defender. This is not toughness! Zach, you can’t do this! The starting QB — YOU! — cannot put yourself in a position to get hurt. You have been hurt enough.
In general, a quarterback has two jobs:
- Protect the ball, which you consistently did not do against Pittsburgh.
- Live for the next down, which you cannot do if you unnecessarily injure your throwing shoulder on that type of play.
You still must grow in your understanding of situational awareness, which as you know, is a combination of down and distance, field position, time on the clock, score, and most importantly being aligned to the continuity football that coach Robert Saleh is trying to play.
The fourth quarter illustrated where you are and what you can be. It is chaotic and concerning because of your inconsistent and erratic performance over four quarters, yet — most importantly — it is encouraging that you completed 10-of 12 passes to lead your team back from down 20-10, though even that is deceiving.
Let me remind you that on two late-game throws in the red zone you executed poorly, first on a boot that was almost intercepted but dropped by the defender, and second on a huge miss to your running back on a wheel route out of the backfield that might have resulted in a score.
Yet during that same quarter on fourth-and-7, when your team needed it most, you made a throw that was a game-defining moment — a beautiful bullet on a dig route to Corey Davis at the Steelers' 26 for a 25-yard gain. This was huge!
When comparing my observations in 2021 to what we saw on tape against Pittsburgh, there were plenty of overlapping themes that have not improved. Here are some of my broad observations on what you need to improve from 2021:
- You still must get better at game management. Understanding situational football is a prerequisite for the quarterback and being in tune with your coach's thinking process — things like throwing the ball away, down and distance, and time on the clock.
- At times you were unquestionably reckless with the football (forcing it into covered receivers), as well as with ball security and decision-making.
- Your drop-back fundamentals were inconsistent. Things like carriage of football were low, which can impact accuracy.
- From the games I watched last year, it appears to me you were simply trying too hard to make plays that cost you and your team. Doing the things that Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Tom Brady do on a consistent level take time. I still believe this is true from observing your play.
In summary, Zach, if you continue to show flashes like this while being open and vulnerable to correcting errors in your game, you and your team will be rewarded. You have work to do, and it never stops. Consistency, decision-making, accuracy, discipline, game management, self-awareness, and more are necessary in your growth as an NFL QB.
I do not expect you and your coaches to agree with everything in my assessment. But what I do hope is that you will give thoughtful consideration as you assess your play along the way, and know I have your best interests at heart.
You have the talent, and your offense is loaded with young talented skill players to support you. Let’s get better this week at home against a divisional opponent, and a very good defense and team in the Miami Dolphins.
With respect and humility,
Marc Trestman
P.S.
One simple thing that I feel you could improve upon as the season moves forward is your staging of the ball. It is my belief that, historically, the most accurate quarterbacks stage the tip of the ball at the "V" of the neck, not fully covering the numbers as you do.
Take a look below at the staging of the ball from these five QBs, and then yours:
These players have been some of the most accurate in NFL history. Zach, look at the staging of some of the NFL’s high-completion passers. See the difference?
Every one of these great passers has the upper tip of ball in the “V” of the neck where the lower half of their number is exposed. See it? Look at he bottom of Steve Young’s and Kirk Cousins' 8, Russell Wilson’s 3, Drew Brees’ 9, and Justin Herbert’s 10! Your placement is much lower. The ball you have in your hands covers your entire number, right?
WATCH MORE: Michael Vick Gives Zach Wilson Advice
