Week 16 marked the latest underwhelming performance by the Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, and it has invited further speculation that his days in New York are numbered. Reporting from earlier today points to a parting of ways in the near future. 
According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the Jets can be expected to move on from the former No. 2 overall pick this offseason (video link). That would represent a disastrous end to his tenure in the Big Apple given his draft stock, but not much of a surprise considering his struggles in 2022 in particular. Wilson made his second consecutive start on Thursday, a game in which he totaled 92 scoreless passing yards on 9-of-18 passing with an interception.
That performance led to Chris Streveler taking over under center for the remainder of the game. Glazer notes that Wilson’s confidence was shot before the contest, and it took a significant hit after what transpired in the Jets’ loss to the Jaguars. The game dropped New York to 7-8 on the season, and leaves them with a long road back into the postseason after an encouraging start to the campaign.
2022 began, of course, with veteran Joe Flacco operating as the starter for the first three weeks as Wilson recovered from knee surgery. The latter has not taken the Year 2 jump many were expecting after his promising college career at BYU and a number of moves the team made this past offseason which provided upgrades at the skill positions and along the offensive line. The unit has seen more success with Mike White at the helm, but his fractured ribs necessitated the return to Wilson – something head coach Robert Saleh had previously stated would take place at some point. Glazer adds that White will start next week if he is able to do so.
Wilson, 23, still has two years remaining on his rookie contract – with the potential of a fifth-year option being tacked on next spring. His scheduled cap hits for 2023 and 2024 are $9.5MM and $11.1MM, respectively. While that would make him a highly cost-effective starter for any potential acquiring team, the far more likely scenario would be a change of scenery resulting in time spent as a backup.
Should Wilson be traded away, New York would also need to begin yet another search for a long-term quarterback. 2018 first-rounder Sam Darnold was tapped for that role, but the deal sending him to Carolina opened the door for Wilson to be drafted. Another trade sending a high-profile signal-caller elsewhere would mark a significant blow to the prospects for a franchise which has otherwise shown signs of improvement this year.
His “confidence was shot”? What a baby. Have some freaking confidence in *yourself*.
Jump from an airplane without a parachute then keep telling yourself you’re confident of a soft landing.
Zach Wilson has played terrible in New York, he went to BYU, there should’ve never been any expectation his confidence would stay intact if it went bad, but I don’t see this as the worst problem for the Jets, QBs move around all offseason, just guess right this time
Aaron Rodgers New York Jets QB 2023
Lisa Wilson, Zach Wilson’s mom, apparently referred to the Jets fan base as “toxic” in an Instagram DM to a fan.
Lol, that’s rich of her
She doesn’t realize that they’re also proud of that. She inadvertently gave them a compliment. She needs to let the kid grow up and stop being a helicopter parent. She’s probably part of the problem.
You said Helicopter,and the first thing I think of is Ric Flair
Rodgers won’t listen to his coach. He’s going to listen to Lafleur’s bro as OC of the Jets?? Not gonna happen
I’m a packers fan and the Jets can have our sloppy seconds anytime
If for some reason Stroud is the first QB taken then the Jets need to either trade all they can to get up high enough to draft Young or Levis. They seem to be a QB away from contention with a good team already and I think Young would be fantastic here
That’s the problem with NFL is they don’t give these guys time to learn and move on from them. Biggest joke of all time.
Have you ever seen a guy with this good a supporting cast be this terrible and actually get good?
This dude isn’t an NFL caliber starting QB, though. It’s clear. Could he be a backup somewhere? Sure, maybe. It’s a thin talent pool in the backup QB group. But if he’s starting games for your team, it’s going to be ugly.
Jimmy G on line one….
Hopefully he doesn’t injure himself picking up the phone.
They better have an ambulance on line 2. He’s just as likely to get a paper cut signing the contract and missing the season as he is to get them to the playoffs
I’ve seen a lot of bad quarterbacks for the Jets, but he might be the most frustrating of all. He underthrew a flair pass! He’s always trying to force tough plays, but fails to make the easy ones. If he’s ever going to be anything, he needs a complete overhaul to his game, and the Jets need a competent starting QB in the present tense.
When you get used to backyard magic in saving ballgames, I suppose the instinct to get out and find that desperation savior moment gets ingrained into your system. Wilson was able to simply clutch his way into a lot of wins at BYU, and probably beforehand as well. What does a player do when his back is against the wall? That’s how to find out the root of what type of he is. For Wilson, it’s the backyard big play. When the normal progressions and discipline gameplanning don’t work and the team is down with time ticking, that’s what he’ll do. Taking away that part of his identity might be necessary to mold him into an NFL quarterback, but it would definitely leave him without confidence as a player.
The question for Wilson going forward is whether or not he can rebuild himself as a more disciplined player from a basic level. Only after he gets a handle on those “easy” things can he get a solid foundation to re-add his dynamic playmaking in a context that works, which was his whole appeal all along. Thing is, that’s what college is supposed to be for. The NFL does have the patience to rebuild one’s confidence so that he can then learn basic QB skills. Will Wilson be able to do that to save his career? Maybe, but chances are against it.
With enough experience, he might learn what he has that works on a limited basis and become a serviceable backup, but I doubt that it could ever happen without a change of scenery and a huge dose of determination.
The NFL scouts over rated yet another 1st round QB. Shocking
Carr makes perfect sense
No the Jets thought they were smarter than everyone. Just like Trey Lance in San Fran. Although that experiment is going better.
Is it?
Who is going to trade for him?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Some QB guru coach will try to fix him, especially since he’s relatively cheap.
Honestly, most of the league would check in on him. He still is talented, on a rookie contract and some experience. Plenty of teams would want him as a backup at least.
True, but I doubt anyone trades much of substance. I think that it depends on which QB the Jets have fall into their lap. If New York likes a guy enough, obviously they’ll pick him up. The real question is whether they would force that move for a guy that they don’t necessarily like to keep that window open. If they’re going QB no matter what, there’s no need for Wilson and they’ll whatever’s offered. If they decide to be patient and find the right guy to slot in for the foreseeable future, someone that they’re actually believing in, they may just retain Wilson as a cheap backup for a year.
I would argue that the desire to get a QB at all costs is what got them into this situation in the first place, as all of their other personnel and staffing acquisitions seem to have been good. It was the need to force the QB, and picking who was available instead of who was right, that set those other positives back.
Tampa, that’s who.
Tampa Bay
New Orleans
Atlanta
Possibly Carolina (all 4 NFC South teams, lol!)
Indianapolis
Tennessee
LA Rams (Baker won’t stay as Stafford’s backup. Wilson can be his backup)
Possibly Denver
Possibly Las Vegas
Possibly Green Bay (if they trade Rodgers)
Roughly 1/3 of the league will call the Jets if ZWilson goes up on the trade block…..
Bet the Broncos would be willing to trade Wilsons along with their salary obligations.
Haha!
Look, there was no consensus #2 pick in 2021. Trey Lance has played 2 games. Fields was picked 13 and Mac and Cheese ain’t it in NE. None of these guys were slam dunk picks. And yes Fields has been great as a runner but still has to show me he can be a good thrower.
That said, the Jets have to decline Zach’s 5th year option. In a radio hit the other day, Saleh said of Trevor Lawrence “He’s starting to look like the #1 overall pick”. Obviously the same cannot be said about Zach. And for once, the Jets actually supported the young QB. But when Mike White, Flacco, and STREVELER can outperform you, it’s time to look yourself in the mirror and hope you can get a fresh start.
The good news is that there were teams who were hoping Zach Wilson fell to them so I’m sure they’ll find a home for him.
Jets sign Jimmy Garapollo for 2 years and draft stash a development project QB with their 2nd or 3rd round pick. Bo Nix seems to have found something in Oregon. Could be worth a 3rd or 4th development project.
The Jets are somehow alive in the wild-card picture (thank you, Patriots) but let’s crap all over the QB because tabloids and talk radio.
Nobody brings up how the Jet pass defense was exposed by Detroit and Jax. The Lions’ game-winner was a genius call, a dump-off pass on 4th-and-inches that went for a 50-yard TD. Trevor Lawrence was dropped only once and that was the strip-sack on the Jaguars’ first series. Jared Goff wasn’t sacked at all by NYJ.
I acknowledge that Zach Wilson has been awful in recent weeks, but to make it “All About The QB” reduces a complex sport to a Dumb Jock cliche.
These games were close regardless of how the defense played. Even competent quarterback play gives them a chance in these games. Wilson came up short every time they counted on him. He’s broken. Maybe another team can fix him but he’s not someone you put out there and expect to win with right now
I could see the Steelers offering a low ball trade. Bring him in and allow time to develop. Not going to start, no pressure, learn how to be a QB, and mature while you wait for another shot.
Too bad Al Davis is no longer with us, Zach Wilson perfectly fits his mold for a reclamation project.
Steelers aren’t trading for him. They just drafted Pickett who played locally and hasn’t been bad in his rookie season, especially with one of the worst offensive lines in the league.
Give me Jimmy G or Jacoby B over another rookie…someone who knows how to play
It’s not just that this kid has no skills, he is a spoiled little bear brat to boot! Nothing is his fault, no matter what the situation. Him not having his defenses back like a month ago said it all. When they gave up I believe 9 points but still lost? Then he was asked if he felt they let the defense down and he says no? Little punk comes from a ton of money and has NEVER had to take accountability for anything he has done. Now it’s all on him and of course he’s crumbling! I’m my even Jets fan (Lions oddly enough) but just seeing this situation from afar I was hoping he’d get smoked these last few weeks bc like I said he’s a punk and he deserves whatever he gets!
Josh Rosen vibes.