Randall Cobb rips Jets for Zach Wilson leaks during 2023 NFL season - "It was a lot of politics"
The 2023 NFL season for the New York Jets and quarterback Zach Wilson was in complete turmoil. Randall Cobb believes that the Jets did not handle the situation well during the chaos.
In December, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Zach Wilson was reluctant to take over the starting job for the Jets when the team leaned on the QB, after benching him the previous week against the Atlanta Falcons. This report set the sports media on fire.
Cobb, who was part of the Jets last season, appeared as a guest on Tuesday's episode of "Bussin with the Boys" podcast with Taylor Lewan and Will Compton. He was asked if the Zach Wilson situation was as dramatic as it was to the world outside. [From 1:56:06]
"I think in the media, it was more dramatic than it actually was," Cobb said. "I think that they had told him that they were gonna trade him in the offseason, and then they benched him, and then they wanted him to play again. And then they tried to blame him for not wanting to play, but you just told him that you were gonna trade him."
He added:
"It was a lot of politics, a lot of stuff in the media, it was a lot of like, 'Come on, man, like what are we doing here?' A lot of meeting with the media, feeding them stuff."
2023 was supposed to be the year Wilson sat behind Aaron Rodgers and learned from the 4x NFL MVP. But with the Jets QB going down in Week 1 with an Achilles injury, Wilson was thrust into the role of QB1.
His poor play saw him being benched for Tim Boyle, in November. It was the third time Wilson was benched in two years. He eventually took over the job the following week and delivered a stunning 30-6 win against the Houston Texans.
Zach Wilson 'in the mix' for Broncos starting job after Jets exit
Zach Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos this offseason from the New York Jets, giving him a fresh start. The AFC West team also selected a QB, Bo Nix, in the 2024 NFL Draft and has Jarrett Stidham on the roster.
Wilson is the QB3 in the depth chart. But it could change. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Wilson is "in the mix" to be the Week 1 starter for the Broncos.
"They're trying to regain his confidence again. I'm told he's in a positive state of mind," Fowler.
Wilson will face tough QB competition from rookie Nix, who is favored by many to be the Week 1 starter in Denver, and veteran Stidham. Broncos HC Sean Payton said he knows his timeline to name the starter (by Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season) and he is in no rush to make the decision.