Nearly 10 years after the ButtFumble, a next-generation Jets quarterback is fumbling his job away and coming throughout like a buttface within the course of. There was no escape for the Jets quarterback on Sunday or afterward. Based on stories from Jets insiders equivalent to Rich Cimini, the Jets’ fractured locker room is split alongside the Zach Wilson fault line. Ultimately, the fissure led head coach Robert Saleh to bench the signal-caller for Week 12.
But earlier than that calamity ensued, on ESPN’s Monday Night Football Countdown pregame present, Booger McFarland’s remarks about Wilson evading duty for one of many worst outings in 2022 sparked a dialogue about wealth and accountability.
“Let’s understand who this young man is before we ask him to accept accountability,” McFarland stated. “He’s a young man who grew up with a lot of money. I don’t think he’s ever had to accept accountability. So now on the biggest stage, we want this quarterback to accept accountability.”
Steve Young disagreed vehemently and he could have a degree. McFarland’s pseudo-psychological analysis falls flat. Dragging Wilson’s privileged background into the dialogue felt like a kick to his ribs whereas he was already down. The Wilson household’s wealth — Zach’s uncle is JetBlue founder David Neeleman — isn’t an excuse for his mom’s assist of anti-mask conspiracy theories, her unhinged ideas on baby trafficking conspiracies, or her espousing anti-mask ideology throughout a pandemic. It’s no surprise Zach has been accused of sharing her admiration for the alt-right’s political figures who don’t maintain themselves accountable. Unfortunately, the Jets are extra of a meritocracy than the world exterior of it. News got here down this morning that Zach Wilson has been benched.
Countless humble quarterbacks within the NFL got here from privileged backgrounds. And a number of the NFL’s cockiest quarterbacks got here from humble means. At the identical time, Wilson is shrugging off his low-grade efficiency evaluations, newly benched Jameis Winston is grousing over being benched in New Orleans.
“It hurts my soul…” grumbled Winston. “I lost my job due to injury, and the policy has always been you don’t lose your job because of injury.”
Who lied to that man?
Winston’s upbringing couldn’t have been extra totally different than Wilson’s, however they’re entitlement twins. Take Winston for example. He’s extra completed than Wilson, however he was additionally credibly accused of sexual assault at Florida State — Winston and his accuser settled the federal swimsuit — suspended a recreation for shouting, “f–k her right in the pussy,” was caught on video shoplifting crab legs, then settled a civil swimsuit with an Uber driver who claims he groped her and shouted obscenities at her throughout his experience. His father as soon as opined that the rationale Winston acquired in a lot hassle at FSU was that they didn’t have somebody chaperoning him 24/7.
For these causes, Winston is lucky to actually have a job within the NFL, a lot much less a beginning one. Just like along with his earlier probabilities, he’s squandered his alternatives. On the sphere, Winston has prevented accountability for his actions since he spearheaded a nationwide championship-winning squad at Florida State. His NFL profession is outlined by how he throws like a degenerate gambler betting his whole bankroll on crimson on the craps desk. Aside from his 14-touchdown, three-interception injury-shortened season in 2021, Winston’s most memorable season was his 30-touchdown, 30-interception (it was 40 touchdowns should you rely his record-breaking seven pick-sixes) remaining season in Tampa Bay the yr earlier than Brady led that very same roster to a Super Bowl.
And but, Winston’s conceited response to getting benched for his extra measured backup Andy Dalton displays a personality flaw. When requested about his demotion by a media gaggle, Winston was so despondent he muttered one thing about imaginary common soccer legal guidelines about shedding your job to harm. Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe don’t ring a bell?
The charismatic, upbeat team-first Winston we’ve seen throughout his New Orleans stint is gone. We noticed a glimpse into the entitled Winston who believes beginning jobs are given to him, not earned. Dennis Allen’s obligation is to win video games, to not satiate Winston. New Orleans’ 4-7 report appears to be like bleak. But they’re solely 2.5 video games behind the NFC South leaders. Dalton isn’t a franchise quarterback anymore, however has seen a plethora of profession highs and fewer lows.
The solely commonality that explains Wilson and Winston’s allergy to accountability is how they entered the league. Wilson and Winston have been one of the best passers on their groups since they have been taking part in pee-wee soccer. Winston can’t appear to consider that he’s been outplayed by a former second-rounder and he’s in all probability coming to phrases with the top of his time as a full-time starter on this league. Wilson is in an earlier stage of that realization.
Quarterbacks are probably the most influential figures inside any group. However, in Winston and Wilson, we’ve seen what occurs when that energy will get taken without any consideration.