Jets Give Zach Wilson Permission To Seek Trade
If the end of the 2023 season wasn't too much of a giveaway, former second-overall pick Zach Wilson has seemed to play his last down as a member of the New York Jets.
Speaking to reporters at the 2024 Scouting Combine, Jets general manager Joe Douglas announced that he allowed Wilson and his representation to seek a trade this offseason.
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"I'm going to circle back with Brian (his agent) to see how those conversations go," Douglas stated. "Other than that, there's nothing else to report."
Wilson was drafted as a top overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft but failed to produce on the football field in any of his first three years. The BYU product has completed less than 60 percent of his passes throughout his career while throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.
His 12-21 record as a starter is among the worst in the NFL since he came to the league.
The news of New York allowing Wilson to seek a trade does not come as a surprise. It is, however, the first time the Jets have publicly stated they would be willing to move on from their young quarterback after months of disgruntled reports from anonymous sources. Reports as far back as November showed the young quarterback wanted a change of scenery after he was benched, and the team would allow a trade to happen.
Now, the focus for Douglas will not just be finding a trade partner for a first-round bust, but also looking to try and find a competent backup quarterback to play behind four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers so last season's struggles are not repeated.
"It's part of the discussions we have had," Douglas explained. "It's an area we will be addressing moving forward. We're still really early in the offseason...I think we're ready to take the next step and see where the market is."
