New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has bulked up this offseason in preparation for the 2022 campaign.
The second-year signal-caller reported to OTAs this week at 221 pounds, 13 pounds heavier than he was at the end of the 2021 season.
Wilson told reporters he cut a lot of sugary foods from his diet for healthier options with the help of a nutritionist and a chef to help him gain “good weight.”
“I feel better for sure,” Wilson said. “The energy, the ability to have that stamina throughout the whole practice, is better. In the long run, once we get into a game when we actually get hit and tackled, having more size on me will help.”
Wilson added that he’s hoping to drop to 218 pounds by Week 1. Meanwhile, head coach Robert Saleh told reporters the 2021 second overall pick’s physique looks good and that he appears confident.
“He looks good, he’s confident, he’s smiling, he’s vocal,” Saleh said. “I’ve said it before that you can always tell the confidence level and their understanding of what they’re being asked to do by the volume of their voice, and he’s getting pretty loud.”
Wilson had a rough rookie season in 13 starts, completing 55.6 percent of his passes for 2,334 yards and nine touchdowns against 11 interceptions while rushing for 185 yards and four scores.
That said, the Jets struggled as a whole last year, though they made moves to improve the offense around Wilson with the signings of guard Laken Tomlinson and tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin. They also drafted wideout Garrett Wilson 10th overall, running back Breece Hall 36th overall and tight end Jeremy Ruckert 101st overall.
The team went 4-13 last season and 2-14 in 2020, and DraftKings set the Jets’ over/under total at 5.5 wins. The division is loaded, but if Wilson and Co. make a leap, they could surprise some people.
