Zach Wilson officially signs his rookie contract with Jets
The New York Jets shifted the future of the franchise after drafting former BYU standout Zach Wilson.
However, the team hit a snag this offseason after struggling to work out the terms for Wilson’s rookie deal. After three months, the Jets finally worked out his four-year, $35.15 million fully guaranteed deal.
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The contract includes a $22.9 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option. It was a lengthy negotiation process that saw him become the last first-round pick from this year’s draft to be signed.
Nonetheless, the Jets have its highly-touted rookie in camp just before the start of the preseason. The criticism directed toward the franchise is warranted as Wilson lost highly valuable time in team activities throughout the offseason.
It puts him behind the eight-ball to learn the offense against an NFL defense in practice. He will have to learn at an accelerated pace, using the preseason and the remainder of training camp ahead of the 2021 campaign to get prepared.
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Earlier this week, first-year head coach Robert Saleh discussed the situation. He said that Wilson lost invaluable experience ahead of his first NFL campaign.
“It’s more concern for the kid,” Saleh said via ESPN. “Every rep is important, so my concern is that it’s two days too many for him. But as far as the installs go and the way we’re preparing the rest of the team, that doesn’t concern me.
“But this young man has a chance to do something special around here that hasn’t been done in a while and every rep matters for him.”
Only time will tell how things will unfold in the coming weeks heading into the 2021 NFL regular season.
