The Jets have informed Zach Wilson that he will be traded after the season, according to people with knowledge of the matter who spoke with the Deseret News. Before the squad opted to start Wilson again on Sunday, Wilson and coach Robert Saleh came to an amicable agreement to part ways. Wilson had been benched once before.
Apart from declaring he will be back on the field on Sunday, the team has not offered any comments regarding the future of the former BYU star and No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft. The franchise has been rocked by news leaks that have enraged Aaron Rodgers, the media in New York, and the fan base this past week.
Four plays into the season opener, Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon, forcing Wilson into the starting quarterback role for the Jets. After starting the next nine games, Wilson was placed on the bench for the third time in 13 months. The Jets were only averaging 14 points per game at that point, and they were 4-6. The Deseret News was informed by sources that Saleh and Wilson met following Wilson’s benching and decided to split after the season.
Wilson’s deal, which guarantees him $5.5 million, is worth one year left. Wilson has excellent speed, quickness, and a rocket arm for a man only 24 years old. The Jets will be responsible for the remaining compensation if they are unable to locate a team willing to pay Wilson in full.
Wilson has struggled to make an impact in his 31 Jets starts to date, but at least he has plenty of company. The Jets are a quarterback graveyard, which is why, just before the 2021 selection, I begged the team not to select Wilson in an open letter. Wilson was the 11th quarterback selected by the Jets in 15 years in 2021, with six of those selections coming in the first two rounds. The Jets had rotated quarterbacks twelve times in the preceding five seasons prior to Wilson’s arrival, using journeymen, free agents, and draft picks.
Wilson will be held accountable for his shortcomings by the Jets and the media, and he has undoubtedly had some.
As of right now, his career statistics are as follows: 6.3 yards per attempt, 56.6 completion percentage, 5,966 yards, 21 touchdowns, 25 interceptions, and 71.9 passer rating. Still, given their lengthy, terrible history with quarterbacks, when will the Jets take a hard look at themselves and acknowledge that they are the one who has failed more than anybody else?
