When the New York Jets selected Zach Wilson out of BYU with the number two overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, they had visions of dominating the AFC East behind an athletic quarterback with a big arm. They hoped they finally got the franchise quarterback they hoped for after missing on so many before him.

But Wilson never really developed into the quarterback the Jets had hoped and the Jets have finally seen enough out of the kid from BYU.

Wilson was benched for Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian before returning only to go out with a concussion in his second back as the starter and never see the field again.

Reports began to surface on Sunday stating the Jets plan to trade Wilson and have expressed as much to him. It’s not a big surprise considering the turmoil of the final weeks of the season.

Zach Wilson’s time with the Jets is expected to be over because the Jets told him they had plans to trade him this off-season when he was benched, per sources.
This is part of the reason he was reluctant to go back to starting weeks ago.
We’ll see how it all plays out.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 7, 2024

As the Jets packed up their locker room and spoke to the media on Monday, it sounds look those reports will prove true. Aaron Rodgers, who has a great relationship with Wilson, made it sound like Wilson would not be returning to the Jets in 2024.

"I love Zach and I want what's best for Zach, and if he wants to be here and that's what's best for him, then obviously I would love to have that relationship for another year," Rodgers told reporters. "But I want what's best for him and where he wants to be, and sometimes a change of scenery, as I know, can be a breath of fresh air, and it's good to be able to have a new start sometime”

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters this week that the team was in the process of evaluating the BYU product and the backup quarterback situation for 2024.

Time to part ways

Zach Wilson’s time with the Jets was mediocre at its best and disastrous at its worst. Wilson never seemed to be able to grasp Mike LeFleur or Nathaniel Hackett’s offense. It would be a tough sell to the players or the fan base to trust Wilson as anything but a third string, developmental project at this point.

What was scary about Wilson was how good he could look when things went perfectly. The problem is things rarely go that way in the NFL. Wilson is not unsalvageable as a productive NFL QB, but it will take the right situation and long-term investment that I’m not sure many teams will be willing to spend.

He is only 24-years-old and still eager to get better. He showed a lot of maturity this year in understanding his mistakes and never put the blame on his offensive line or coaches, when he absolutely could have. There haven’t been any reports about Wilson having poor work ethic or a bad attitude amongst his teammates. His problems are strictly on the field, and most NFL coaches think they can fix those problems.

The question now becomes; where will Wilson end up and what could they get for him? Two trades involving quarterbacks in recent years are a decent framework for a Zach Wilson trade. Typically, high draft picks hold a greater value, which is why quarterback Sam Darnold was able to fetch second and fourth round picks when the Jets opted to move on from him to take Wilson.

This past offseason, the San Francisco 49ers fetched a 2024 4th round pick when they traded Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys. I don’t think it would be unreasonable with those comps to say Wilson should net a late third pick.

Wilson should wind up with a team that has an offensive minded coach and a veteran starter in place. There should be no pressure on Wilson to start next year unless it is in spot duty. I look at a team like the Minnesota Vikings with Kevin O’Connell and Kirk Cousins and see a perfect spot for Wilson to sit and learn.

Wherever he winds up, it’s safe to say it will be out of New York in 2024.

Frustrated Jets’ Garrett Wilson calls out coaches

The day after the season ends is always an emotional one for players and coaches. So much changes each off-season. Guys are away from each other and lose the locker room comradery. Some guys know they are coming back. Some guys aren’t sure if they will be asked back. Still others don’t know if they […]

Featured image via Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK