Jets’ new tight finish C.J. Uzomah bonding with Zach Wilson

New Jets tight finish C.J. Uzomah made an impression together with his vogue selection this week. Now, he’s making an attempt to make an impression on the sector for the Jets.

Uzomah, who signed a three-year, $24 million take care of the Jets in March, confirmed as much as coaching camp on Tuesday sporting a shirt with a faux Time journal cowl that includes quarterback Zach Wilson as “Particular person of the Yr.” The shirt was a success on social media.

“That’s my quarterback, man,” mentioned Uzomah, explaining the shirt Thursday. “I’ve acquired to help that man in any method I can. I ran it by my company and a few pals. I used to be like, ‘Zach, is that this straight if I put on this in right here?’ He’s like, ‘Do no matter you need to.’ ”

Uzomah and the second-year Jets quarterback have developed a bond that goes past his T-shirt. Uzomah was one among a number of Jets gamers who joined Wilson in Idaho just a few weeks earlier than coaching camp for some bonding time and further apply.

Uzomah, 29, mentioned the 2 are like brothers already.

“It’s like little bro,” Uzomah mentioned. “It makes me sound outdated, and I don’t adore it, however he’s 22, he’s tremendous younger, and he’s a little bit brother to me. We hit one another up. We’re dwelling two or three doorways from each other. That’s going to be enjoyable. I’m certain I’m going to be knocking on his door randomly coming over getting meals from him, from his chef. He’s little bro, man. That’s form of how we deal with each other. He asks me sure questions exterior of soccer. I choose his mind about what he needs throughout soccer.”

Uzomah involves the Jets from the Bengals, for whom he noticed Joe Burrow make a leap in Yr 2 final season and lead Cincinnati to the Tremendous Bowl. Uzomah was requested on Thursday about Wilson making the same soar, and the reporter used the phrase “if,” which Uzomah jumped on.

“Not if; he’ll. He has been,” Uzomah mentioned. “He’s exhibiting strides already. I don’t play quarterback. I don’t know the ins and outs of what they should take care of on a day-to-day foundation and making that leap from school to the NFL. I feel the sport is slowing down for him already. You possibly can see it in his reads and looking out off defenders, how he’s delivering the ball, the arm place. I’m not imagined to in all probability cuss, however he’s acquired a hell of an arm. He’s going to have the ability to make the throws. It’s only a matter of him slowing the sport down. I feel he’s doing an incredible job already.”

The Jets are relying on Uzomah to be greater than Wilson’s massive bro. They’re hoping he may give Wilson a weapon on the tight finish place he lacked final yr. It has been years because the Jets had an impactful tight finish. Uzomah may finish that drought.

Uzomah is having fun with his new environment. He threw out a primary pitch at a Mets sport and has been getting aware of New York and New Jersey.

“Personally, I really like being exterior of town. I’m from a small city, went to a small school. That’s simply dwelling to me,” Uzomah mentioned of Florham Park, the placement of the Jets’ headquarters. “Not saying that is like small, however this can be a city. It’s tremendous enjoyable for me to be like, ‘I’m going to go to C&J’s deli’ and know a few of the guys and get my traditional Taylor ham, egg and cheese and return to the spot. I really feel at dwelling.

“Then, you too can go to town, go to some Broadway performs. You don’t should go to town to get good meals, however go to town to get good meals. Go watch the Mets, the Subway Sequence. You are able to do something. It’s been a enjoyable transition for me, for certain. I really like being right here.”