The New York Jets have a new face of the franchise if he wants to hang around the organization, and he might be responsible for his own fate on the field.

In a recent article, ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak gave his path to QB reclamation projects in the NFL. He lists quarterbacks who may be the next Baker Mayfield or Jared Goff including Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Daniel Jones and Jameis Winston (he also puts Zach Wilson on the list, but I will just ignore that).

Solak also lists teams that are destinations for reclamation project quarterbacks, and the last team he lists is the New York Jets.

New York Jets: The Jets just barely make my list as a good landing spot, and it's almost all on the back of Garrett Wilson, whose future with the Jets isn't rock solid. We don't have much data on the new coaching staff, but if new coach Aaron Glenn and coordinator Tanner Engstrand (both coming from Detroit) sell a veteran quarterback on being their Goff-esque placeholder while they build the rest of the roster, that's a fine opportunity with Wilson already in hand. Throw it to him 140 times a season and try to look good doing it.   Glenn was in New Orleans for a season with Winston, so there is familiarity there. Winston also has the big, powerful arm to make the deep-breaking routes from the pocket necessary in Engstrand's presumably Lions-inspired offense. Given the one-year, $4 million dollar contract Winston signed with the Browns a year ago, he likely will be an exceedingly cheap option as the Jets retool the entire roster — there's a chance Winston looks like much more with Wilson shagging balls. 

Since the 2024 Jets’ season went into the dumpster (and lit on fire) I have said that the most important player on the New York Jets’ offense was Garrett Wilson. He is a rare talent and a true number one receiver. He is the face of the franchise.

Rumors of him contemplating a trade need to be squashed soon. Solak is absolutely correct in what he said in his piece about Wilson being the lone bright spot on an otherwise dim outlook for the 2025 Jets. There are a lot of reasons for a QB to choose not to sign with the Jets, whether it is a first-time OC, the way things went with Aaron Rodgers or the general awfulness of owner Woody Johnson, but Wilson is the draw for a passer looking for a career resurgence.

The question of Wilson’s commitment to the Jets is turning into a vicious cycle that only Wilson can end. He won’t commit to the Jets long term which leaves the team without a draw for a quarterback. Their lack of a quarterback leaves Wilson unwilling to commit to the Jets long term.

As hard as it would be for Wilson to take a leap of faith with the franchise that has all but wasted his rookie contract, it is exactly what the Jets need him to do. Any quarterback looking for a new home would have to give the Jets serious consideration if they knew Wilson was going to be there to catch passes.

Who that quarterback may be is another interesting question that Solak brings up. The idea of Jameis Winston competing for a starting job with the Jets is an intriguing one. Winston obviously has the talent being a former first overall pick. He is so easily loved both in the locker room and among fan bases because of boisterous charming personality. His problem is on the field and learning what not to do.

Winston is a true gun-slinger quarterback if there was ever one. He is good for at least a few throws a game that he has no business attempting. Unfortunately for him, they often lead to disaster for the offense. The right combination of head coach and offensive coordinator that would be able to rein him in would have a massive talent at their disposal.

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