Should Zach Wilson Run More in 2022?

I think that as he gets more comfortable in the offense, he will more easily identify running opportunities.

 

No he shouldn't. He's built like a Ken doll; the more he runs, the more likely an injury. Let him focus on becoming a better passer; and only use his feet to avoid pressure and extend plays.

 

I think he should take the easy yards when it is there just as he should take the easy throw when it is there. Anything that moves the chains is a great thing. I don't think anyone should be concerned about ZW getting injured. He rarely takes clean hits due to his awareness unlike a guy prone to injury like Justin Fields who takes big hits because of his lack of awareness.

 

Great points Penny! And I agree 100%. As you said near the end, they didn't draft Zach to be a Marino, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, they drafted him to be another version of Mahomes, Russel Wilson, Josh Allen, all QBs who can use their legs to create opportunities, not just as a last resort, but on purpose.

That said, I think that was the original plan, but when he struggled in the beginning - for a variety of reasons - the CS decided to dial back that part of his game and slow him down so that he could learn how to make the basic plays first. I think we will see the "training wheels" come off this year, especially with better protection, and improved weapons, and assuming Zach shows that he's fully digested the playbook. I think all of that will happen and then allow this "4th dimension" of the offense to take off. Wilson is too good of a natural athlete and runner to not exploit this aspect of his game.

One thing you didn't really mention is that Zach seems to be more accurate when he throws on the move. I could be mistaken, but if there are stats for that I'd like to see them. But in watching him, even at BYU, this seemed to be the case. If this is true, all the more reason to allow him to get out of the pocket and create, but I think the Jets are wise to rein him in and discipline him to ensure that he can become comfortable and effective as a pocket passer because in the long run that's where the best QBs have the most success.

 

If he plays like he did last year, then yes, run more! However, no QB should have to run to be successful, IMO.

 

He should but he also needs to watch a lot of tape of Russell Wilson if he’s going to. Russell Wilson has always done the best job in the league at protecting himself in the open field.

Zach isn’t quite the athlete Russ was when he came into the league but he’s very capable of picking up 6-7 yards against man coverage.

 

Run more… maybe to pick up 1st downs and in man coverage if the pocket collapses. We need him on the field and I worry about hits. I’d use Wilson in a A Rod roll where pass first run if you have to mentality!

 

A running quarterback is a soon-to-be-injured QB. Trading Zach's future health for a few extra yards during a rebuilding year is, IMHO, a bad idea.

With that said, sometimes a QB is on the run because the DL got through. In those moments, Zach should scramble and run for whatever he can get without taking a hit. As long as he can be successful on those runs -- as he was toward the end of last year -- that can go just as far in keeping a defense honest. So, you accomplish the same thing without creating extra opportunities for Zach to get hurt.

 

I'd suggest that Wilson should attempt to make steps towards mastering the throwing game before branching out to running the football in anything other than broken play scenarios.

 

A first down is a first down. Wilson had opportunities to run and pick up first downs last year and didn’t. It’s a good post

 

I wouldn't say he needs to run more, but run smart. Not every play needs to be a homerun.

I remember a few instances where he had available first downs if he ran, but threw the ball instead. He needs to take what the defense gives him when it comes to running the ball. He's clearly shown he's athletic enough to run if he needs to.

 

You're right, it's really not that complicated.

Zach is a solid athlete. He's not Lamar Jackson or Cam Newton, but he can absolutely run more to pick up an easy 5-10 yards and a first. He just needs to avoid hits and go down.

 

For his life? Or to score the game winning TD?

 

Exactly. If he runs naturally during the evolution of a play he is less likely to get hurt because he's going to run towards defensive voids. If the run is planned he is more likely to get hit hard and he definitely does not have the physique to take those hits.

 

Aaron Rodgers completed almost 64 percent of his passes, and threw 28 touchdowns with only 13 picks his first season as a starter. Rodgers was already a polished passer, which is what Zach should focus on before he tries to become Lamar Jackson and increase his risk of injury.

 

I think he should practice the fake slide because it magically causes tacklers to pull back. It should be a new skill for all QBs.

 

He should run more and quarterback sneak less.

 

He could have run some more.
He's decent at it.
Just be smart.