Zach Wilson’s tenure with the New York Jets appears to be drawing to a close, as confirmed by General Manager Joe Douglas during a press conference at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. Douglas revealed that Wilson and his representatives have been given permission to explore potential trade opportunities.
Douglas stated, “Where we are exactly, we’ve given them permission to talk to other teams about a trade.” He indicated his intention to follow up with Wilson’s agent in the coming weeks to gauge the progress of these discussions. As of now, there are no further developments to report on the matter.
Selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Wilson has experienced a tumultuous start to his NFL career. Despite high expectations, his performance has been inconsistent, with a completion rate of just 57 percent and 25 interceptions over three seasons. The Jets’ record during his tenure as starting quarterback stands at 12-21.
Wilson’s role was initially intended to be that of a backup in 2023, but circumstances changed when Aaron Rodgers suffered an injury early in the season. Wilson stepped into the starting position for 11 games, completing 60.1 percent of his passes for 2,271 yards, with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. There were reports suggesting Wilson’s apprehension about returning to play after being benched due to concerns over potential injury.
With Rodgers set to resume his role as the Jets’ starter in 2024, the team is exploring options in the veteran quarterback market instead of retaining Wilson as a backup. Douglas confirmed discussions about bolstering the quarterback position with veteran talent.
As for Wilson’s trade prospects, it remains uncertain what level of interest exists among other teams. Any potential trade would need to occur before early May to allow the acquiring team the opportunity to exercise Wilson’s fifth-year option. However, given Wilson’s performance thus far, it appears unlikely that any team would fully guarantee his salary for the 2025 season. The Jets are prepared to navigate the situation and assess the market for potential opportunities moving forward.