Jets having discussions about trading Zach Wilson
Quarterback Zach Wilson's tenure with the Jets seems close to ending, and GM Joe Douglas updated the situation on Friday.
"We're obviously open to trading Zach," Douglas said. "There have been discussions. Nothing's really changed since we talked down in Florida. We're open to trading him. There's just no news to report on that."
On Feb. 28, the Jets gave Wilson and his agent permission to seek a trade.
That Wilson was given the ability to look for a new place to play was an unsurprising development, given the direction of the Jets and how the 2023 season played out for Wilson.
Wilson was called into action last season following the season-ending Achilles injury to Aaron Rodgers, and -- while Wilson didn't perform particularly well over the course of the year -- he was also yanked back and forth from a starting role to the bench.
Toward the end of the season, Wilson was thrust back into the starting job following an injury to Tim Boyle, and wound up suffering a head injury during that week's game against the Miami Dolphins.
Even before things went awry late last season, the writing had been on the wall when it came to the expected end of Wilson's time in New York.
With Rodgers under center in 2024 and perhaps 2025, Wilson is not viewed as the answer at quarterback once Rodgers retires/is no longer a Jet, and Wilson is also not an ideal fit as Rodgers' backup, the two sides parting ways now makes sense.
Wilson, 24, is set to enter the fourth year of his rookie deal, which comes with a cap hit of $11.1 million.
His fifth-year option, which has not been exercised, has a cap hit of $22.4 million.
During three seasons with the Jets, Wilson has a 12-21 record, and has thrown 23 touchdowns to 25 interceptions.
He had the best completion percentage (60.1 percent) of his career in 2023, but that came with his lowest-ever yards gained per completion (10.3).
With Wilson likely playing elsewhere next season, the Jets added veteran backup Tyrod Taylor this offseason, and could possibly draft a quarterback in the middle rounds who can sit and learn behind the future Hall-of-Famer -- something Wilson didn't have the opportunity to do.
