Zach Wilson has had a rough start to his NFL career. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Saleh thinks Zach Wilson's struggles are a 'good thing'

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 10/1/21

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh subscribes to the notion that rookie quarterback Zach Wilson will learn a lot from the struggles he’s experiencing.

Saleh admitted Friday that Wilson has dealt with “every scar you can possibly imagine” through his first three games in the NFL. The head coach maintained, however, that it would be good for Wilson’s long-term development.

Saleh on Wilson: “He’s suffering every scar you can possibility imagine, but it’s a good thing.” Says it’s only a matter of time before he shows why he was the 2 pick. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 1, 2021

Saleh continued, via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk:

"It really is. Because he is one of those guys who gets to the film room, he gets to the meeting room, he’s asking the right questions, he’s got tremendous process. He’s only going to get better. When it clicks, everyone’s going to see why he was the second overall pick. And it’s just a matter of it clicking."

Saleh and the Jets are betting that Wilson will take these games as learning experiences without having his confidence sapped. There are certainly risks to that approach. Just ask this former NFL quarterback and the warning he had about throwing rookie quarterbacks directly into the fire.

One thing that probably isn’t helpful to Wilson? Public criticism from teammates, like what he got after Week 3. The Jets will want to keep that in-house.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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