Former New York Jets QB Sees Brett Favre Traits In Zach Wilson

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – When former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez watches Zach Wilson on film, he can’t help but be reminded of a Hall of Fame signal-caller.

Sanchez, a four-year starter for the Jets from 2009-2012, hopped on the Pat McAfee Show this week and discussed what he sees in Wilson.

Mark Sanchez sees Brett Favre qualities in Zach Wilson

“These guys do something that makes you pause the film and go, ‘Wow, that was really special.’ I think Zach definitely has that. I think he’s Brett Favre-ish,” Sanchez said. “He’s the kind of guy who will complete a left-handed pass at some point in his career. He might throw one around his back to the fullback. He’s that kind of guy, and it is so fun to watch. But for a coordinator, you just have to know what you’re signing up for. As soon as that ball is snapped, you might not know exactly where it’s going, but there is a good chance it is going to the right spot.”

"He thrives in chaos..

Meaning when the pocket starts to close down, that's when he comes alive. He's not your typical 5 steps, hitch, rhythmic kind of guy..

He likes to throw off platform"@Mark_Sanchez on Zach Wilson #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/ii3JuU0j2W

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 6, 2021

Wilson has garnered a lot of comparisons during this NFL Draft process. From Aaron Rodgers to Patrick Mahomes and now Favre. Like Sanchez, Favre played a season in New York in 2008. Just one year before Sanchez’s arrival.

The Zach Wilson throw everyone was talking about (from my perspective) at #BYU Pro Day.#BYUFootball l @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/TTtWgupB9A

— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) March 26, 2021

Now Zach Wilson looks to be the next signal-caller to revive the Jets franchise potentially.

“I love watching him. He thrives in chaos. Meaning, when the pocket starts to close down, that’s when he comes alive,” said Sanchez to McAfee. “He’s not your typical five steps and hitch, rhythmic kind of guy. He likes to throw off-platform. In some ways, I feel maybe a little too much when you might not need it. When the pocket is clean, I don’t need you to do anything special. Just give me the routine ground ball and throw it to first base and we’re good and call it an inning. But he’s so special.”

What it’s like to be the New York Jets QB in the NYC market

If the NFL draft plays out as many expect, Wilson will be headed to Sanchez’s old franchise, the New York Jets, at the No. 2 overall pick. The former BYU star impressed at his Pro Day in Provo in front of Jets GM Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh, and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Setting the table for Wilson to go to the Big Apple and lead the Jets.

Despite being in a historically struggled franchise, Mark Sanchez experienced success early in his tenure head coach Rex Ryan. Sanchez was able to lead the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances in 2009 and 2010. The last two times, ironically, the Jets were in the NFL Playoffs.

The world got to witness greatness yesterday 🔥@zachkapono1 x #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/woTZ7lg6YD

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) March 28, 2021

Sanchez knows the scrutiny that comes with being a starting quarterback of an NFL franchise in a big media market like New York.

“It’s definitely more in your face. In Indy, I’m sure you guys had a few beat writers. In New York, there’s like 30, you know? Every day in the locker room, they are there. It’s a cutthroat business; they’ve got to get the story. They need to have their sources. It just has so much more weight there. Right? As a quarterback, you try and tune that stuff out, but as soon as you go to the press conference, you got your media liaison and PR guy basically debriefing you on what you’re about to talk about and all the articles that essentially came out. Kind of going through the headlines, so you can’t block it out.”

The 2021 NFL draft occurs in Cleveland, Ohio, from Thursday, April 29th to Saturday, May 1st.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.