FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 15: Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets runs drills during New York Jets Mandatory Minicamp on June 15, 2021 at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson is still without a contract, which means he can’t show up to camp until both he and GM Joe Douglas come to an agreement.
As the New York Jets report to training camp for the first time under new head coach Robert Saleh, they will be doing so without their first-round pick Zach Wilson.
The rookie quarterback out of BYU is still without a contract, which means he cannot report until both he and the front office come to terms on a deal. While Wilson is the only player not at Jets camp, he does seem to be getting reps in while in Huntington Beach, California, as posted on his Instagram story.
This isn’t unprecedented for the Jets and rookie quarterbacks. Sam Darnold missed the beginning of training camp during his rookie year due to the two sides not being able to an agreement on the offset language of the deal. Darnold eventually ended his brief holdout, and signed a four-year deal worth $30 million.
With Wilson’s absence, that leaves the Jets with two quarterbacks; second year man James Morgan out of Florida International and Mike White out of USF. Neither quarterback has ever taken a regular-season snap.
Why is Zach Wilson not in Jets training camp?
While Wilson not being with the team at the start of camp can be a bit tantalizing and a thorn in the side of both the team and fans, Saleh isn’t phased, saying he believes in Joe Douglas and that he is sure the deal will get done. Saleh also added that when Wilson does show up to camp, he believed the youngster will make it up for lost time.
The Jets have a lot to be excited about, and a lot of that excitement is based around their rookie quarterback. With what history has showed us, Wilson’s absence will be brief and the two sides will come to a deal soon.