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NY Post
New York Post
16 Aug 2023


NextImg:Zach Wilson gets encouragement from Panthers’ Adam Thielen

When the Jets’ 27-0 preseason victory against the Panthers concluded, and everyone scattered across the field at Bank of America Stadium, Zach Wilson got a visit from Carolina receiver Adam Thielen.

The Gang Green quarterback had just gone 14-for-20 with 123 yards and a touchdown during the opening half.

His transition from starter to backup for Aaron Rodgers had continued, with Rodgers’ mentorship starting to pay dividends.

And Thielen, the 32-year-old and two-time Pro Bowler who spent the first nine years of his career in Minnesota, had a message for the No. 2-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

“Go have some fun this year,” Thielen said during the second episode of “Hard Knocks,” which first aired on HBO Max on Tuesday night. “Stay in it, man. Don’t let other people say who you are. Just go and fricken prove it. You’re a hell of a player. Just believe it.

“I know it’s tough, man. This league’s tough, man. This league’s tough. But you just gotta fricken go prove it every day. Every day in practice. Every day fricken, when you get a chance, just go prove it. You don’t have to talk about it.”

Zach Wilson gets some words of encouragement from Panthers veteran receiver Adam Thielen after the Jets’ 27-0 preseason win over Carolina.
HBO Max

The Jets’ game against the Panthers marked a strange return to Charlotte for Wilson.

His first start came against Carolina in 2021, when he and the Jets faced Sam Darnold — the first-round bust he was tasked with replacing — but instead of serving as the introduction to a successful tenure, Wilson lost his starting job with the Jets altogether.

“Do one thing for me today,” defensive coordinator Ulbrich told Wilson, in the episode, before the game. “All I ask for is one thing. That you f–king smile. Every f–king play. Take a deep breath and smile. Soak this f–ker in. You’ve earned the right to play well, and enjoy it, too.”

Rodgers’ arrival has certainly helped with Wilson’s development, at least according to segments of the “Hard Knocks” series.

In Saturday’s game, Wilson used a hard count to draw a neutral zone infraction against the Panthers, and Rodgers became frustrated when the referees ended the play and Wilson didn’t get a free snap.

“Let him go, let him go,” Rodgers said from the sideline, wearing a headset.

Then, Wilson hit running back Michael Carter for a lengthy gain after the catch, prompting a compliment from head coach Robert Saleh.

And with halftime nearing, Wilson executed a play-action bootleg and connected with tight end Kenny Yeboah for a touchdown that put the Jets up 13-0 after the extra point.

That touchdown, in the closing seconds, resulted in plenty of smiling and celebrating from the Jets sideline.

From Wilson. From Hackett. From Rodgers.

From anyone and everyone involved with Wilson’s ongoing development, as his improvements took yet another stride.