Cris Collinsworth’s admiration for Zach Wilson seems quite intense.
For a while now, Cris Collinsworth has faced accusations of excessively hyping NFL quarterbacks, regardless of their caliber. He’s been just as inclined to elevate Brock Osweiler as he is Patrick Mahomes.
Yet, even by his own standards, Collinsworth’s commentary in favor of Zach Wilson during Sunday Night Football’s clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets appeared to be over the top. While Wilson certainly deserved recognition for his standout performance, many NFL viewers found Collinsworth’s praise to be a bit excessive.
This sentiment extended to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, who openly criticized Collinsworth for his effusive compliments of Wilson. Wilson had an impressive game, completing 28-of-39 passes for 245 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a lost fumble in a narrow 23-20 loss to the defending Super Bowl champions.
“Cris Collinsworth — I didn’t know somebody could have a live orgasm for an hour-and-a-half on the air,” Simmons said on his podcast Monday. “It was like when Howard Stern has the people ride the Sybian [a masturbation device]. Like Ohhhhhh Zach Wilson! Ohhhhhhh he’s making all the throws! Mike ahhhhhhh!
“He was like losing his mind! I’ve never heard anyone hype up a … decent performance — I won’t be telling my grandkids about Zach Wilson tonight.”
Simmons’ co-host, Cousin Sal Iacono, playfully mimicked Collinsworth, exclaiming, “Ohh, are you kidding me? Bill, if I don’t get to induct Zach Wilson into Canton, something’s very wrong. Don’t let me come across Joe Namath in a dark alley! I’m gonna punch his lights out!”
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Simmons joined in on the impersonation, quipping, “Who was saying that Zach Wilson couldn’t make all the throws? I mean, look at this, Mike (Tirico)!” He then returned to his own voice, adding, “The last four weeks, he didn’t make any of these throws.”
On Sunday, media members faced criticism for both overly hyping and overly criticizing Wilson. Much like Wilson’s performance, it’s hoped that the assessments will become more consistent and balanced in the coming weeks.
