Jets let Wilson explore trade destinations
Is Zach’s Fifth Avenue coming to a downtown near you?
The New York Jets and quarterback Zach Wilson are seemingly headed for a split this offseason, this much confirmed by general manager Joe Douglas during the NFL scouting combine. Douglas told media that he has given Wilson permission to seek a trade.
Wilson has been all but a bust after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2021 draft. Whether that’s organizational chaos or his own lack of production, Wilson hasn’t turned into the passer that some, including Jets brass, thought he would be. In total, Wilson will likely finish his tenure in green and white with 23 touchdowns to 25 interceptions, 6,293 passing yards and a 12-21 record.
While it remains to be seen if Wilson’s next stop is a starter role – or a spot lower down the depth chart, a team will likely want to take a chance on him. Here are a few teams that may, and why the fits makes sense:
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford hasn’t given any indication he plans to retire, but nagging injury issues have been piling up. He missed two games in 2023 with a thumb injury and missed time in 2022 with concussions and a spinal cord contusion. That means they’ll have to address the QB2 spot in earnest, especially with midseason signing Carson Wentz hitting free agency. Spending time on the bench behind the Super Bowl-winning quarterback will only benefit Wilson – as will uniting with an offensiveminded coach in Sean McVay and reuniting with ex-Jets OC Mike LaFleur.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers and Kyle Shanahan were rumored to be hot after Zach Wilson during the 2021 draft. They ended up with the No. 3 pick and took Trey Lance, a decision that … didn’t exactly work out for anyone involved. The 49ers may have found their QB of the future with Brock Purdy, but as Shanahan’s 49ers squads have discovered in recent years, QB2 – or QB3 – is crucially important, too. Wilson heading to the Niners to back up Purdy and give Shanahan a QB he reportedly wanted in the draft as a reclamation project may have its longterm benefits.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have cap moves to sort out before they’re players in free agency or the trade market, and the biggest move to make surrounds Russell Wilson. Quarterback is a huge question mark this offseason, and a trade for Wilson would give at least a semi-moldable, young project for Sean Payton moving forward. The Broncos pick 12th in the draft, so they might be out of striking distance of the top prospects, but Payton and Co. will have time to figure out quarterback beyond just 2024.