Zach Wilson is supposed to be the future at the quarterback position for the New York Jets. The current “Rookie Of The Week” is on the right track. Head coach Robert Saleh is full of praise before his team’s London game against the Atlanta Falcons.

London – Zach Wilson is not to be overlooked.

The 1.91 metre tall rookie quarterback of the New York Jets is not only wearing a red jersey with the number 2 on it at his team’s last practice session in London before the first game of the “NFL International Series” in 2021 at Tottenham Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons, but also an eye-catching white headband that reminds a bit of “Karate Kid”.

Except his “master” is not Mister Miyagi, but Robert Saleh, the Jets’ head coach.

Saleh: “His process is fantastic “

And he immediately goes into raptures when talking about his passer, who was deservedly named Rookie Of The Week after his gala performance in the Jets win over the Tennessee Titans on Game 4.

“His process is fantastic. Footwork, eye. Zach is working week in and week out, learning what it takes to play quarterback in this league,” Saleh said of his young talent, who with his extremely youthful looks could also star in the teen movie “High School Musical”.

“I don’t want to put him in a box either. I want him to be able to develop and evolve. Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are often celebrated primarily for their great deep passes. But what really sets them apart is their incredible ‘game management’. And that’s where Zach is supposed to get to someday. I want him to learn to make the right decision at the right moments. In my eyes, Zach is an extraordinary talent with whom we will still have a lot of joy.”

Indeed, the game against the Titans was the first time the 22-year-old really showed what he is capable of on the pitch – and what he could be capable of in the future. In addition, Wilson finally lived up to all the praise he received in the draft at the beginning of the year. Certainly a good feeling. I wonder if he can continue the winning ways in London against the Falcons.

Against the London curse of rookie quarterbacks

With a possible win, he could also break the curse of rookie quarterbacks. That’s because so far, no passer has managed to pick up a win in London in his first year. Whether Derek Carr, Blake Bortles, Gardner Minshew or Deshone Kizer – they all failed. And Wilson? He is taking a more quiet, defensive tone before the game.

“The win against the Titans was fantastic, there was a completely different atmosphere in the dressing room straight away,” says Wilson. “It also made me realise again what a difference a single win like that can make in the NFL.”

That’s why the rookie quarterback wants more now – but a declaration of war still doesn’t cross his lips for this reason. Wilson believes in hard work.

Wilson: Records in the NFL don’t interest me

“The Falcons are 0-4, but I don’t care about records in the NFL. Every team in this league has its strengths, every week a new challenge awaits me and us as a team. That’s why my focus is always on the upcoming opponent and what their strengths and weaknesses are – the previous wins and losses of these teams don’t matter at all,” explains the 22-year-old, who adds with a serious face: “Week after week, I look at what I can do better than last time. Because I want to develop, to progress personally.”

But he is not only thinking about himself, but above all about the whole team. “Of course it was nice that I became ‘Rookie Of The Week’ on Matchday 4, but I only managed that thanks to my team. The O-Line got me the time to make my plays and the wide receivers had really good catches. That’s the only way it works, we can only be successful together,” said Wilson, who is really enjoying the trip to London.

His verdict: “I am having a blast.”

The joy would certainly be a little greater if Wilson and Co. beat the Falcons in London. It certainly doesn’t seem impossible at the moment. Because one thing is clear – and this is also shown by the impressions from the last training session in London – the Jets’ chest is very broad.

And if Saleh, Wilson and Co. have their way, it could be even broader