Jets Give Wilson the OK to Seek Trade

The nightmare in the ‘Big Apple’ appears to be at its breaking point.

Zach Wilson’s forgettable tenure with the New York Jets is on the precipice of shutting down after three seasons.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas said on Wednesday in Indianapolis at the Combine that the organization permitted Wilson’s agent to look for a trade.

“Well, I’ve had good conversations with his agent, Brian Ayrault,” Douglas stated during a news conference at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. “Where we are exactly, we’ve given them permission to talk to other teams about a trade. I’m going to circle back with Brian at some point, this week or next week, just to see how those conversations go. Other than that, there’s nothing else to report.”

The No. 2 overall pick in 2021 out of BYU, started 33 games over three seasons with the Jets, including 11 in 2023. After brief flashes in the pan as a rookie, Wilson never made the necessary steps in his game as a passer or when it came to reading defenses. He struggled mightily this season after taking over for an injured Aaron Rodgers in what was supposed to be a red shirt season for all intent and purposes, during which Wilson learned behind the four-time MVP. Wilson was benched a number of times as the Jets could never find their footing under center in what amounted to a lost season.

It became crystal clear that Wilson’s future would be outside New York.

Wilson’s agent can attempt to find a home for the signal-caller, but a trade would seem to be a slim to none possibility, unless the quarterback restructures his contract. He is owed $5.45 million guaranteed, a figure clubs looking for a young developmental project would likely shake their heads at and say not thanks. It is possible Wilson could take a haircut to facilitate a trade, but most teams interested in the signal caller would likely be willing to wait it out until the Jets inevitably cut him.

With Wilson’s days in New York appearing to be numbered, the Jets are in the market for a veteran backup. Rodgers is on track to return to the starting role, coming off a torn achilles, but after this past season’s debacle, the club knows it must have a competent answer at backup for the 40-year-old quarterback.

“That’s part of the discussions that we’ve had,” Douglas said on Wednesday about his backup spot. “It’s an area that we’re going to be addressing moving forward, so again, we’re still really early in the offseason, especially when it comes to the veteran backup landscape and market. We’ve had good meetings, good evaluations of the guys that are available. I think we’re ready to take the next step and see where the market is exactly with these backup quarterbacks.”

The market will include a plethora of backup options with starting experience. Given Rodgers’ injury history and advanced age, if one of those veterans strikes out in a quest to compete for a starting job, New York could be a desirable backup location.