Zach Wilson undoubtedly appears the main focus this offseason for a new look New York Jets. And it’s not just about the progress of his skills on the field.
This is the key, of course, but the physical appearance of the second-year defender is already a conversation throughout the facility.
“You guys will see him. He’s fat,” coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday with a big laugh.
Saleh may soon run out of relevant adjectives to describe Wilson’s appearance, which he said “looks muscular” earlier this month when asked about his apparent commitment to the QB diet and gym plan over the past few months.
“This dude is strong,” he smiles Wilson said of his muscular head coach when told of Saleh’s comments.
One thing is for sure: Wilson looks a little different. His neck is a little thicker, his legs and arms are more muscular.
“He looks good, I’m sure – his shoulders are back, he did not bend,” – said Saleh before the second practice of the team on organized teamwork. “He’s confident, smiling, vocal.
“You can always determine the level of confidence and their understanding of what they’re asking to do by the volume of their voice. And it gets pretty loud.”
And comes in better shape.
“I think it’s probably the first time in my life that I’ve taken a bigger approach to nutrition, not just lifting,” the 22-year-old Wilson said. “Sure, every year you do your typical strength training, lifting and running. But usually you just try to eat healthy food.”
Instead, Wilson collaborated with Jets nutritionist Nicolette Mens to develop a better game plan for food.
“I actually have a written plan of how much and when I have it, and I keep track of everything down to the macro,” Wilson said. “That’s probably the biggest difference in gaining weight.”
6-foot-2 Wilson said at the end of last season he weighed 208 pounds and is now up to 221. He wants to play around 218 this season when he will largely hope to significantly improve his game. He finished with nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 games as a rookie – but has not been selected in his last five competitions.
It was a clear sign that for him mentally everything was slowing down. And he thinks physical improvements will help him even more on the field. He already feels like he has extra endurance throughout the workout, and having more muscle will help him when he gets punched and struggling throughout the season.
“I mean, that was the goal,” Wilson said. “I definitely feel that from my past weight gain experience I also feel more athletic, the faster the more weight I gain muscle … I just feel like I’m the best athlete with more weight on myself. Some reason.”
However, Wilson found it difficult to fire him while trying to follow his new diet.
“I’m very sweet,” he said with a laugh. “So it was a problem with cookies, cakes and stuff like that.”
While he takes responsibility for those desires, Wilson also demonstrates increased leadership on the field and in the locker room.
“I think it’s necessary, especially from the defender, someone who can bring everyone together on one page and bring them in,” he said. “And I’ve never been a super-super-vocal type, a guy who stands up to a team. But sometimes it’s necessary. And I think it means more when it comes.”
Saleh said Wilson obviously understands the game book much better than he did, especially a year ago at a time when he was just beginning to make sense of life in the NFL.
“Everything is different in the second year,” Saleh said.
Wilson spent part of the offseason traveling to different areas to work with some of his playmakers, trying to build even better relationships on the field. He said he expects to gather a few of his teammates for training in July before the start of the training camp.
The new diet and appearance combined with a better understanding of crime coordinator Mike Lafler should be significant factors that will help Wilson improve significantly during the rest of the offseason.
“It’s an explosion to get back there,” Wilson said. “Guys, the additions we have, the little creases we added to the offense, and then just the task of seeing what we did last year and then trying to apply it and get better as a unit is a lot of fun. “
Associated Press report.
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