The key behind the best performance of Jets QB Zach Wilson's career

The advice that injured New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers gave to fellow quarterback Zach Wilson on "The Pat Mcafee Show" was short and sweet.

"Play free and confident," Rodgers said, per Zach Braziller of the New York Post.

Wilson did just that Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, turning in the best performance of his career when expectations for him were at their lowest. Against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, the 24-year-old completed 28-of-39 (71.8%) passes for 245 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

When the dust finally settled on the Jets' 23-20 loss, Wilson set personal NFL career highs in passer rating (105.2) and completions (28), as well as tied his highest completion percentage in a game (72%).

Wilson's strong performance was a sight for sore eyes for many Jets fans who watched him struggle mightily throughout his first three seasons in the NFL. The key to the quarterback's newfound — and arguably shocking — success is simple: He played worry-free. 

In prior losses to the Cowboys and Patriots, Wilson seemed afraid of making mistakes. Jets head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett routinely preached that fault-free football wins games. In turn, their signal-caller became a poor man's game-manager, often missing open targets downfield and instead checking the ball down for fear of committing a turnover.