How Zach Wilson and the Jets have become a winner since Robert Saleh's 'receipts' comments

Joe Rivera

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How Zach Wilson and the Jets have become a winner since Robert Saleh's 'receipts' comments image

As the saying goes: Keep your words soft and sweet, in case you have to eat them later.

After downing the Packers in Lambeau Field, the New York Jets are 4-2 on the 2022 season. All four of the team's wins have come since Week 2, when Robert Saleh's now famed "receipts" speech took New York talk radio by storm.

Since then, the Jets have given the NFL, Jets fans and WFAN plenty to talk about, rattling off four wins in five weeks. First, it was the miracle win vs. the Browns, then a loss to the Bengals, followed by three-straight wins against the Steelers, Dolphins and Packers. All three of those victories have been decisive, too, with the Jets outscoring opponents 91 to 47 over that span.

MORE: Sauce Gardner says cheese following win over Packers

While Saleh has had an opportunity to cash in some receipts, the second-year head coach has declined to do so. The return date may expire some time in February, so the Jets have a long, long way to go until they cash in on some of those receipts.

Still, it looks like those "Same Old Jets" are turning into the brand new Jets. There are three key reasons why that may be happening:

The line cooks

Quinnen Williams - cropped

General manager Joe Douglas put a lot of ingredients into the pass rush, and the recipe is starting to look good.

Carl Lawson had a seven-pressure performance vs. the Dolphins in Week 5, while linemate Quinnen Williams had an all-world performance against the Packers to follow it up. Williams recorded seven pressures in the effort in Week 6, and is continuing a dominant, breakout season in 2022.

Also making his presence felt is rotational edge rusher Bryce Huff; Huff, who was inactive the first three games of the season, but has combined for seven pressures in Weeks 4 and 5, with another strong showing vs. the Packers. Also contributing to the Jets' rush are John Franklin-Myers, who was extended by Douglas last season, Jacob Martin, signed by Douglas this offseason and rookie Jermaine Johnson. 

Saleh's defense, which is predicated around getting strong pass-rush pressure from the Front 4 and less on blitzing the quarterback, has been playing up to its design, making things a bit easier on the secondary. 

The line played its most complete game on Sunday vs. the Packers, sacking Aaron Rodgers four times in the win, keeping him on the run all afternoon. That'll work.

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(Getty Images)

The kids are all right

The Jets' 2022 NFL Draft class was deemed by some to be a franchise-altering one, and for good reason.

The Jets made three first-round picks — cornerback Sauce Gardner (No. 4 overall), Garrett Wilson (No. 10) and Jermaine Johnson (No. 26) — and attempted to trade up into the first to make a fourth in running back Breece Hall, but selected him at the top of the second (No. 36) instead.

Already, the draft class is proving to be difference makers (and playmakers): Wilson was massive in the Jets' win over Cleveland, notching the game-tying touchdown with 22 seconds left on the clock in Week 2. Sauce Gardner recorded his first career interception vs. the Dolphins, and was credited with six pass breakups through the first five games of the year. Another pair came on Sunday vs. Green Bay.

Hall erupted for an 197-yard performance (rushing and receiving) vs. the Dolphins and put together an 116-yard showing on the ground vs. the Packers, including an improved run on a broken play for a touchdown.

Also contributing this season are, Micheal Clemons, fourth-round defensive lineman, who had his best game on Sunday, blocking a punt and; Max Mitchell, fourth-round offensive lineman, who filled in at right tackle in the absence of George Fant, before he was injured.

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Return of the Zach

Zach Wilson hasn't had the gaudiest numbers in the world since returning from his knee injury, but the difference in quarterback play — both what's in the box score and what's beyond it — is apparent.

Wilson's mobility has added a new dimension to the Jets' offense that Joe Flacco didn't, escaping sacks behind an embattled offensive line and making throws on the run. He's also filled two roles of passer, driving the team to a clutch win and also managing them to wins, too.

Wilson marched down the field in the game vs. Pittsburgh, going 5-for-5 passing on the game-winning drive, finishing the game 10-of-12 for 129 yards. He lead two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.

In Week 5, Wilson played hyper game-manager role as the Jets cooked the Dolphins on the ground; Wilson was 14-of-21 passing for 210 yards in the win, but more importantly, registered no turnover-worthy plays, per PFF. That was more of the case on Sunday, with Wilson going 10-of-18 passing for 110 yards in the win over the Packers.

So far, Wilson has shown a much more smart, mature game than he did in his rookie season. If his positive, small sample size returns a taste of what's to come for the Jets, then Saleh may want to keep those receipts in his pocket come January.

Joe Rivera

Joe Rivera Photo

Joe Rivera is in his seventh year with The Sporting News, handling NFL, MLB and some things pro wrestling. A proud-ish Rutgers University graduate, Rivera combines a new-school flair with an old-school soul. He loves dingers, wrestling, comic books, movies, music and really bad puns. He is also a card-carrying BBWAA member and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater.

You can find him and tweet him @JoeRiveraSN, if you're into that sort of thing.