New York Jets: Morgan Moses will be huge for Zach Wilson

The New York Jets signing veteran offensive tackle Morgan Moses will be a massive help to the early development of quarterback Zach Wilson. 

If there’s been one theme from the past two years for the New York Jets, it’s that general manager Joe Douglas is intent on keeping his quarterback safe. Even before the franchise drafted Zach Wilson with the No. 2 pick this year, the Jets took Mekhi Becton in the first round last year. They then selected Alijah Vera-Tucker with their other first-rounder in 2021.

But New York hasn’t stopped there. On Friday, the organization inked a deal with veteran right tackle Morgan Moses, signing him to a one-year deal after he was released by Washington earlier this offseason. The 30-year-old was a starter for the Football Team this past season and performed well.

While Moses is reportedly going to compete with George Fant, who started last season in New York, for the Jets’ right tackle spot opposite Becton, the safe money would be on Moses winning the job. To this point in his career, he’s simply been a consistently better player than Fant.

Regardless of which player is eventually named the starter, though, Wilson is going to be in a terrific spot to come in as a rookie and have a positive start to his development as a pro.

Morgan Moses gives Zach Wilson a better chance at early success with the New York Jets

The lack of favors done to Sam Darnold, Wilson’s predecessor under center, has been well-documented at this point. While the receiving talent around the newcomer is also improved, the upgrades that have been made to the offensive line are the most substantial. Douglas clearly wants to avoid Wilson “seeing ghosts”.

But for Wilson specifically, bringing him into a situation with strong protection is pivotal to his early success. While the rookie was praised for his mobility and the ability to throw on the run, the fact remains that he saw very little pressure at BYU during his phenomenal 2020 season. And when he did, his efficiency took a noticeable dip.

Adding Vera-Tucker to the left side with Becton was already a step in keeping Wilson safe but Moses is taking that a step further. Now it feels as if the Jets have two reliable starting tackles and a solid-enough interior line, especially with the rookie from USC joining the fray.

Wilson checks a lot of boxes from a talent perspective as the player who can be the franchise quarterback the Jets have been longing for. Having said that, even the most talented prospects can fail if they are put into a bad situation. Signing Moses ensures that’s not what the Jets are doing with their young signal-caller.