Jets legend Joe Namath blasts Zach Wilson: 'I've seen enough'
New York Jets legend Joe Namath doesn't agree with the team's decision to stick with Zach Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Namath - a Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Jets to a Super Bowl title in 1969 - strongly criticized Wilson on Monday after New York's 15-10 home loss to the New England Patriots.
"I didn't take anything positive out of it. It was awful," Namath said about Wilson's performance, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.
He added: "I wouldn't keep him. I've seen enough of Zach Wilson."
Wilson became the Jets' starter this season after Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles injury in Week 1. He completed just 18 of 36 pass attempts for 157 yards versus New England.
The 24-year-old also took three sacks, including one in which he seemingly went down without being touched on the play.
"You sit down on a play? You go right down? What happened?" Namath said. "I thought you're trying to win and make plays. You quit on a play? What is going on? It's disgusting."
Zach Wilson does the #Patriots defense a favor and gives them a free sack!
— Carlos (@LosTalksPats) September 24, 2023
Time for the offense to put more points on the board.pic.twitter.com/xHMSrNMfBR
Wilson has completed 52.4% of his passes for 467 yards and two touchdowns against four interceptions through three appearances this season. His 57.0 passer rating ranks 34th in the NFL.
The BYU product has failed to meet the high expectations after being drafted second overall in 2021. The Jets, who had Super Bowl aspirations after trading for Rodgers in the offseason, are 8-16 with Wilson as the starter.
Despite the criticism, Jets head coach Robert Saleh continues to back Wilson.
"He's not the reason why we lost (Sunday)," Saleh said Monday, per Cimini.
Namath didn't sound happy with the Jets' front office and coaching staff.
"These guys aren't picking the right players," the 80-year-old said. "They aren't doing a good job of coaching. It's evident. ... If you have an eye for football at all, you see things are haywire. It's too crazy. They need to fix it, and that's getting rid of a lot of people and bringing new ones in."
Free-agent quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz have reportedly reached out to New York about potentially joining the team. Ryan didn't deny the reports but said Monday he has "no interest" at the moment in leaving CBS Sports to become the Jets' quarterback.