Troy Aikman has no use for Zach Wilson.
Aikman, calling Monday’s game alongside Joe Buck for ESPN, took a shot at the Jets’ quarterback in the waning minutes of their 27-6 home loss to the Chargers.
“This thing ain’t over yet,” Aikman joked – as transcribed by Larry Brown Sports – after a 33-yard completion to tight end Tyler Conklin gave the Jets a chance for a meaningless touchdown with less than two minutes left.
“This is when Zach comes alive, look out.”
Ouch.
Aikman had some other zingers and harsh assessments in the final minutes – and who could blame him after watching the Jets’ attempt at “offense” – but blame usually lands on the quarterback’s shoulders.
Wilson, after inspiring some confidence following the upset win over the Eagles, has shown why these Jets are pretenders and not contenders with him at the helm.
After needing a miracle to beat the hapless Giants last week, Wilson took eight sacks and lost two fumbles against a Chargers team known for flopping in big spots.
He threw for 263 yards, but 61 of those came on the final drive with the game all but over.
Aikman roasted the entire Jets operation for their ineptitude.
“If you can’t even get lined up without getting a penalty, then you’ve got no chance. You’ll never have a chance,” Akiman said. “The focus is always Zach Wilson, the offensive line, yes, because of the injuries, but anyone that has anything to do with this offense, coaches included, they have to look at themselves in the mirror because everyone has to be better than what we’ve watched tonight.
He added: “For as good as this [defensive] group is, for them not to get a chance to do some really special things with this team because an offense can’t score a touchdown? Pretty maddening.”
Aikman ended the night with blunt criticism of the 4-4 Jets.
“For the Jets, I don’t know if they’re a good football team. It’s hard to look at them tonight and say that they’re good,” Aikman told Scott Van Pelt following the game. “They’re great on defense and I thought the defense was terrific again tonight. Is that a good football team we watched tonight?
“No. I think they’re a bad team with a great defense is what I think they are. I don’t know if they were a playoff team coming in. I didn’t see anything tonight that suggests they’re a playoff team.”