Mike Francesa has some blunt advice for Zach Wilson.
On his BetRivers podcast on Monday, Francesa was asked what type of resource Aaron Rodgers will be for Wilson, and while he didn’t have a firm answer on that front he sought to impart his wisdom on Wilson.
“I don’t think Rodgers was brought here to teach Wilson anything. Anything he’s going to pick up he’s going to have to pick up on his own. I’m not saying that Rodgers won’t sometimes lend him some of his expertise, maybe he will maybe he won’t,” Francesa said, talking about the “many” hours the two will spend together in the Jets’ quarterback room.
Francesa advised Wilson to “soak up” everything he can from Rodgers, an NFL great, before getting frank.
“This is a tough time for Wilson,” he continued.
“He is going to have to suck it up, practice, practice, practice, hustle, learn and all that time just keep his mouth shut. He has been handed a very, very tough road to travel. Maybe he comes out the other side, maybe he doesn’t. If it does, it’ll be a hell of a story.
Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson embrace after the Jets beat the Packers in 2022. Getty Images
Mike Francesa advised Zach Wilson to ‘suck it up’ and ‘shut his mouth’ as he attempts to salvage his NFL career. Getty Images
“He earned the place he’s got now. He was that bad. So, he has got to put in the time, learn his craft, work on his footwork, learn how to quarterback. He’s going to get a chance to watch and see how one of the greatest quarterbacks in history prepares.”
Wilson has long cited Rodgers as an inspiration and this past season spoke of him as a mentor.
Wilson was benched for Mike White in November after two particularly brutal losses to the Patriots in under a month, deflecting direct personal accountability in the immediate aftermath of the second one.
Zach Wilson walks off the field after a Jets loss last season. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
On his podcast, Francesa said that he envisioned Rodgers answering any questions Wilson may have, because “Rodgers doesn’t see him as a threat.”
“Wilson has failed terribly,” he continued. “That’s why Rodgers is here.”