Quarterback Josh Johnson hasn't played a ton of football in his 14-year, 13-team NFL odyssey, but he has been around some good football players. He has shared locker rooms with a cast of quarterbacks that includes Eli Manning, Andrew Luck, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton and Jeff Garcia. I thought it would be interesting to get Johnson's early take on Zach Wilson, whom he met for the first time 11 days ago when he walked into a morning meeting following a red-eye flight from the West Coast.
"Oh, he's special, man," Johnson told ESPN. "He can make some throws that I only see a few quarterbacks making. He reminds me a lot of [Green Bay's] Aaron Rodgers with some of the throws he makes, the way he can get his body in position and make unique throws in the pocket. He has really special arm talent. Once this season gets going, I think the whole country is going to see it. He has what it takes to be successful."
Johnson, 35, who signed as a free agent on Aug. 4, spoke glowingly of Wilson's attitude.
"I've been around so many different quarterbacks and what I appreciate is his ability to want to be great and own everything," Johnson said. "He always wants to take the reins. He's hard on himself, which I respect. His work ethic and his appreciation for the game are what's going to make him a great player. ... He's always asking questions. He's always asking the 'why?' That's the biggest thing, understanding why things are happening."
Wilson has experienced a handful of shaky practices, but that's to be expected, especially facing the first-team defense every day. Johnson said he told Wilson, "You're supposed to go through this."
Johnson is a good sounding board for the Jets' inexperienced quarterbacks. He said he's willing to serve as a mentor, but his top priority is competing for a roster spot. That's no guarantee.
"Oh, he's special, man," Johnson told ESPN. "He can make some throws that I only see a few quarterbacks making. He reminds me a lot of [Green Bay's] Aaron Rodgers with some of the throws he makes, the way he can get his body in position and make unique throws in the pocket. He has really special arm talent. Once this season gets going, I think the whole country is going to see it. He has what it takes to be successful."
Johnson, 35, who signed as a free agent on Aug. 4, spoke glowingly of Wilson's attitude.
"I've been around so many different quarterbacks and what I appreciate is his ability to want to be great and own everything," Johnson said. "He always wants to take the reins. He's hard on himself, which I respect. His work ethic and his appreciation for the game are what's going to make him a great player. ... He's always asking questions. He's always asking the 'why?' That's the biggest thing, understanding why things are happening."
Wilson has experienced a handful of shaky practices, but that's to be expected, especially facing the first-team defense every day. Johnson said he told Wilson, "You're supposed to go through this."
Johnson is a good sounding board for the Jets' inexperienced quarterbacks. He said he's willing to serve as a mentor, but his top priority is competing for a roster spot. That's no guarantee.