Watching offensive success may help Wilson

NEW YORK — Zach Wilson got to immediately experience life in the NFL: big plays mixed with bad mistakes and some frustrating losses.

A knee injury then forced the New York Jets rookie quarterback to sit a few games — and watch how things might be for him when he returns.

“It’s just a matter of absorbing that information and being confident because the good thing with Zach is that we don’t have to teach him how to do the spectacular,” coach Robert Saleh said. “He just has to learn how to do the boring stuff and understand that the boring can be explosive and can be spectacular too.”

When everyone last saw Wilson on the field, the Jets offense was a mess. It was stuck in neutral and often rolling backward. In the two games since, Mike LaFleur’s offense has taken off.

First, it was Mike White tossing short passes all over the field to finish with 405 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Cincinnati in his first NFL start. The performance made him a sensation around the league and landed his jersey and the game ball in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Then it was 35-year-old career backup Josh Johnson setting personal bests with 317 yards passing and three TDs in a loss to Indianapolis after taking over for the injured White.

All with Wilson watching — and, the 2-6 Jets hope, seeing the blueprint for his own potential success.

“What I think is even more beneficial is he ran the offense for six games,” Saleh said. “And then to watch it the last two games, absolutely . ... And so for him to see it through the lens of another quarterback is incredibly beneficial, especially since he’s already exposed himself to it.”

The Jets drafted Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick for a reason. They see the potential in his playmaking skills, combined with his arm strength and ability to make throws at various angles.

Wilson is expected to return to practice next week from his sprained posterior collateral ligament, and could potentially play against Buffalo on Nov. 14. White should also be able to practice after dealing with a bruised nerve in his right forearm.

Saleh wants to see how they both feel and practice before making a decision.

Wilson remains the future for a franchise that has been searching for a consistent winner at quarterback since the days of Joe Namath— even if the present remains a bit cloudy.

“He’s a young buck and he’s one of those rookies that thinks they’re invincible,” Saleh said. “And he’s only going to get better as he learns.”