NY Jets news: Zach Wilson speaks, former Jets RB back in NFL, Giants joint practice

Former NY Jets quarterback Zach Wilson spoke to reporters on Thursday for the first time since he was traded to the Denver Broncos last month. Wilson said all the right things in his first public statement with his new team.

The former No. 2 overall pick insisted he was “grateful” for his time with the Jets while agreeing that his departure was obviously “bittersweet.” Wilson finished by saying he was excited for a “fresh start” and a “new challenge.”

A fresh start is exactly what Wilson needed following a disastrous three years with the Jets. Meanwhile, the Jets are looking forward to a season with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback.

Wilson enters the spring in a competition with the likes of rookie Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham for playing time in Denver, although he did toss an interception in his first Broncos practice open to the media. He has his work cut out for him this summer.

Former Jets RB signed by Steelers

Zach Wilson isn’t the only former Jets draft pick in the news this week. Former Jets running back La’Mical Perine was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday a week after he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs.

A fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Perine played two seasons with the Jets, rushing for just 263 yards on a lowly 3.7 yards per carry in 14 games before he was waived.

Following brief stints on the practice squads of the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins, Perine found a home in Kansas City where he won back-to-back Super Bowl rings. He appeared in three regular-season games for the Chiefs and three postseason games in 2023.

Now, Perine joins a Steelers backfield that features the likes of Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson. He’ll compete for a roster spot this summer.

Jets/Giants joint practice

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Thursday that his team is expected to resume joint practices with the Jets this summer after taking a year off in 2023.

The Jets held joint practices with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of their preseason meetings last year but passed on doing so with the Giants since the two teams played in the regular season.

That will change this year, however, with the Jets and Giants planning to hold one joint practice before their preseason finale on Saturday, August 24.

The Jets also have preseason games against the Panthers and Washington Commanders, although it’s unclear if this time if they will hold joint practices during those weeks as well.