Parsons had two sacks and four quarterback hits on Wilson in Week 2

Zach Wilson has taken a lot of hits lately, and not just on the gridiron for the 1-2 New York Jets.

Gang Green’s starting quarterback became the target of franchise legend Joe Namath during an interview on the Michael Kay Show on Monday after leading the team to two straight losses as the starter. Across those two games, he was sacked eight times and took 12 quarterback hits.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons contributed two of those sacks and four of the quarterback hits in the Cowboys’ 30-10 win over the Jets in Week 2. But even after the sub-par performances, Parsons believes the Jets should stick with Wilson as their quarterback.

“He needs time to develop and grow,” Parsons said on his podcast “The Edge” Thursday. “His team needs to give back to him, they need to pour into him so he can be the guy they want him to be.”

Parsons argued that the Jets’ offseason decision to trade for Aaron Rodgers and subsequent moving of Wilson to the backup role — then Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles tear that thrust Wilson back into the starter job — plays a big part in Wilson’s struggles.

“He’s being compared to a Hall of Famer, which isn’t fair!” Parsons said, alluding to the Super Bowl aspirations of the Jets organization and fans this offseason.

During the Cowboys’ Week 2 win, Wilson completed just 12 of 17 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. In the second half, the Jets did not score nor did they sustain a drive that went further than 23 yards.

It wasn’t much prettier at home to New England as Wilson took a game-ending safety and completed 18-of-36 passes for 157 yards in the 15-10 loss.

Overall, Wilson is 8-16 as a starting quarterback dating back to his rookie year in 2021. He missed 12 games across his first two seasons due to both injuries and being benched in favor of now-Dolphins backup, Mike White.

The former No. 2 overall pick has not led the Jets to a win as a starting quarterback since a 20-17 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 9 of last season.

Wilson and the Jets will now take on the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football in Week 4.

“I’m working to get better. I know I need to improve,” Wilson told reporters on Thursday.