PROVO — Tony Romo believes New York Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson has as high of a ceiling as anybody who plays the game.
Romo, a four-time NFL Pro Bowler who played 14 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, made the statement before playing in the Siegfried and Jensen Utah Open pro-am Thursday at Riverside Country Club.
“I think you guys don’t quite know how good this kid is. He is super rare,” said Romo, responding to a question on what advice he would have for Wilson who played for BYU, located just down the street from the golf course.
Wilson was drafted No. 2 overall by the New York Jets after leading BYU to an 11-1 season his junior year. Romo, a scratch golfer, most recently played in the Texas State Open, firing rounds of 69-71 while barely missing the cut.
Romo, an NFL analyst for CBS, explained how Wilson’s progression as a quarterback should be on a very impressive trajectory in seasons to come.
“I think you are going to be watching ... I think he’s like a young Dan Marino and for people who are a little bit older, we saw Marino. People forget how Marino was ‘the guy’ in the ’80s and then it morphed into (Joe) Montana and Super Bowl stuff and then it was that (Aaron) Rodgers has all the talent stuff, and then it was (Tom) Brady is like Montana.
“I just think Zach has a rare ability. I watched him his first preseason game and some other places and I can see certain things; he has a couple of special traits. God doesn’t give those gifts to very many people. I think, without knowing him, he is a hard worker and cares and loves the sport.
“The ceiling (for Wilson) is crazy. It feels good. I mean Patrick Mahomes crazy levels, which is saying a lot.”