Zach Wilson seemed to be the future at best for the New York Jets. But certainly not the present. But against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, Aaron Rodgers’ replacement is suddenly coming up big.

So many things were different this time around for the New York Jets and especially for Zach Wilson. The emotional world is a bit out of joint.

After the expected and avoidable 20:23 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs, Aaron Rodgers’ replacement was unusually self-critical: “I lost us the game, I can’t do that.”

He continued, “I made it clear to the guys that I have to be better, better at the little things, the details. This can’t happen.”

Wilson castigated himself for his final action of the game when he fumbled the ball and Tershawn Wharton secured the leather for the Chiefs, who played down the remaining seven and a half minutes in the ensuing drive.

They were honest words from Wilson, who has not been known for such self-reflection. Rather, the 24-year-old has in the past denied making life unnecessarily difficult for his team even after the scariest of performances that cast doubt on his NFL fitness.

Wilson ahead of Mahomes in all major stats

So now he was coming down hard on himself. But also from a position of strength he was not used to. For until each momentous turnover, Wilson had delivered a squeaky-clean game.

He managed to do something that even Tom Brady or Rodgers failed to do. According to “Opta”, the blond is the first quarterback to outdo Patrick Mahomes in all important statistics in a match-up.

This had never happened to the two-time Super Bowl winner before in 127 games as a starter in college and in the NFL.

Passing yards were 245 to 203. Wilson threw two touchdown passes, Mahomes only one. In interceptions, the second pick of the 2021 draft had a clean slate, while the superstar threw the ball into the hands of the opponent twice.

Wilson with pass rate of nearly 72 percent

Now, with these numbers, it can still be noted that Mahomes also had a used day.

But in terms of the accuracy of his passes, Wilson played at least one league higher than the two-time league MVP on this Sunday night. While Mahomes hit 60 percent of his throws, the Jet hit an incredible 71.8 percent.

The figure is all the more impressive given that his career average is 55.7 per cent and the Chiefs are also allowing just 60.9 per cent in completion percentage this season. On top of that, the defending champions have only conceded four touchdowns through the air – half from Wilson.

The Chiefs’ stars, who had pulled their heads out of the noose thanks to controversial referee decisions and were therefore in a giving mood after the game, had warm words for the so far very shaky playmaker.

During the obligatory shakehands between the quarterbacks, Mahomes told him: “You’re fucking talented. Just go out there and play your game. “

Great game @nyjets pic.twitter.com/YVcDrU64Uh

– Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 2, 2023

Chiefs star Jones finds Wilson “special “

Chris Jones was also full of praise at the commentary desk of the broadcasting station “NBC”: “He’s getting better every week, growing more and more into the leadership role. (…) Like I said, Zach Wilson is special. You just have to give him a little bit of time.”

He’s actually had two years to establish himself as a franchise quarterback – with performances like the one against the Chiefs remaining the very rare exception.

And so he has to put up with unsparing opinions like those of ex-NFL pro Rodney Harrison, who argued with Jones about Wilson as an analyst: “Watching him on tape has to make you feel, ‘This guy sucks, we should really rip him to shreds.'”

At the same time, the former safety noted in light of Jones’ choice of words, “I think he had a special night, but you also have to show you’re special over an extended period of time.” I wonder if he really succeeds in that?

Jets legend Namath would pass on Wilson

Rumours persist that the Jets would bring in a veteran quarterback to keep their playoff hopes alive, giving Rodgers a chance to return this season.

Especially since Wilson disappointed in the 10-30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys with a 44.4 per cent pass rate and three interceptions for a touchdown, as he did a week later when he went scoreless in the 10-15 loss to the New England Patriots with a 50 per cent pass rate.

Afterwards, franchise legend Joe Namath had his verdict on the playmaker on “ESPN”: “I’d trade him away. I’ve seen enough.” The also more and more ticked-off head coach Robert Saleh, however, stressed that Wilson was “the player who gives us the best chance to win”.

At least for now, he can feel vindicated. So he said after the unfortunate defeat against the Chiefs: “I think he was really good. Gave us a chance to win the game, brought us back. If he plays like that, we’ll win a lot more games.”

The question remains, though, was it not a slip up? Because never before has Wilson managed more than one touchdown without an interception in an NFL regular-season game. The passer rating of 105.2 was the best of his career.

Parsons wishes Wilson wins and takes a swipe at critics

Prominent supporters, however, are not the only ones he can be sure of from the Jets and Chiefs. Cowboys star Micah Parsons, for example, addressed Wilson directly on his podcast, The Edge, for Bleacher Report: “I hope you win. I hope you rise to a level that nobody thinks you can.” Because, he said, there are a lot of people who will only pour out their hatred on the young quarterback.

The linebacker was critical of Namath and Harrison’s statements in this regard, stressing, “We don’t use our platform to put other players down. We use it to lift other people up. Everybody in this world needs somebody to believe in them, I’m convinced of that.”

If that doesn’t give Wilson an extra tailwind. To finally take off like a real jet, but without losing traction.

He doesn’t seem to lack self-confidence anyway. Not the worst prerequisites to get going and prove to the Jets that they can count on him.