What Do You Expect in Zach Wilson’s Debut Sunday vs. Steelers?

Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will each give their predictions to a series of questions regarding this year’s Jets.

Today’s question: What Do You Expect in Zach Wilson’s Debut Sunday vs. Steelers?

EA: After he was medically cleared to return, Zach Wilson was asked by a reporter if he’ll have to tell himself to not do too much. The signal-caller countered that he didn’t want to overthink his situation, that he was going to have fun with it and let the result take care of itself. When Wilson returned to the lineup last November following a PCL sprain, HC Robert Saleh said there was rust and Wilson wasn’t happy with how he performed in 21-14 win over the Texans in Houston. Since Jan. 9, Wilson has played in 9 snaps and those came in the preseason opener at Philadelphia on Aug. 12. It’s unrealistic not to expect some rust and moments to work through but it would help if the Jets, who’ve had the lead 22 seconds this season, can play from ahead. That will mean more run game (Joe Flacco set an NFL record with 155 pass attempts through Weeks 1-3) and play-action opportunities for an offense that leads the NFL with six different players with 10+ receptions.

EG: I think Zach Wilson will look improved from last season, but with some minor rust. Robert Saleh said the best way to get better at football is to play football despite trying to simulate the game in practice. Wilson has been a limited participant in practice the last two weeks and has been a full participant once he was medically cleared earlier this week. Pittsburgh’s defense ranks in the bottom-third in the NFL in yards (24th), rushing (28th), passing (22nd) and third down (25th), so it could be a good matchup for Wilson and the offense — on paper — in his first start since last season. The Steelers, however, have had 10 days rest and are known for exotic blitz packages. They’ve led the NFL in sacks each season from 2017-21, but will be without star pass rusher T.J. Watt. The supporting cast around Wilson is improved since the last time he took the field at the end of his rookie season, but it’ll come down to how fast Wilson acclimates.

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