Jets QB Zach Wilson talks introduction to NFL’s business side

When the Jets kicked off training camp practices on Wednesday, Zach Wilson was nowhere to be found. Instead of suiting up at One Jets Drive, he was in Los Angeles, getting a glimpse at the business side of football.

Wilson missed New York’s first two training camp practices as his representation and Joe Douglas worked out the kinks of his rookie contract. After prolonged negotiations, Wilson received the upfront, non-deferred signing bonus his reps desired, while the Jets included the same offset language that was written into Sam Darnold’s rookie deal in 2018.

New York’s prized rookie quarterback made his training camp debut on Friday in forgettable fashion, struggling to consistently complete passes after opening the day with an impressive deep ball to Elijah Moore. His first camp performance aside, Wilson was just happy to be back between the white lines after receiving his introduction to an aspect of football that never previously concerned him.

“Now money’s involved,” Wilson said. “My whole life I just wanted to play ball because I love the game. I wanted to get the business done so I could do what I love.”

Wilson went on to say that his girlfriend said she forgot that the quarterback will make money now that he’s a pro. “That’s cause the best part of it is the game,” Wilson told her.

The Jets would have liked to have Wilson on the field to begin training camp, but two missed practices are not going to do much to harm the BYU product’s development. Darnold missed three in 2018 and still won the starting job.

Wilson looked good throughout the spring and while his play on Friday left a lot to be desired, that can be chalked up to typical rookie struggles more than the contract negotiations that kept him sidelined.

With those negotiations now ancient history, Wilson is not planning on giving too much attention to his financials as he prepares for the beginning of his rookie season against the Panthers in Week 1. The 21-year-old will be $22.9 million richer once he receives his signing bonus within the next two weeks, but that money won’t bring him any closer to his ultimate goal with the Jets.

“You can’t buy a Super Bowl,” Wilson responded when asked what he plans to purchase with his new wealth, “so we’ll work for one of those.”