How Does Justin Fields Trade Affect Market For Jets' Zach Wilson?
Zach Wilson may have played his last down as a member of the New York Jets, but that doesn't mean he's going anywhere anytime soon.
Following the trade of former 11th overall pick Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson remains the long quarterback from the 2021 draft class to be waiting for a new home after a tumultuous tenure with the team that drafted him.
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In three seasons with the Jets as the former second-overall pick, Wilson failed to post a winning record as the quarterback (12-21) while throwing more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23). His 57 percent completion percentage was among the worst of all starting quarterbacks during the last three years.
Wilson has seen several young quarterbacks leave for new places over the last few weeks via trade. Whether it was the Eagles trading for Kenny Pickett shortly before the Fields trade to Pittsburgh, Mac Jones being moved to Jacksonville, or the signings of several backup quarterbacks, the market for the former BYU standout has been greatly impacted over the last few weeks.
Jones was traded from New England to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick. Fields was moved for roughly the same package.
Wilson's potential deal could be far more complex.
For starters, the former second-overall pick carries a larger cap hit than the other quarterbacks in his draft class. Wilson carries an $11 million cap hit for his next team - almost $8 million more than Fields, and Jones.
While the Jets will most assuredly look to find a new home for their failed franchise quarterback, any trade for the quarterback would require New York to not only pay a portion of Wilson's contract but also a late-round pick swap might be the only way another organization even considers bringing in the young signal-caller.
Organizations like the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, or Kansas City Chiefs could be looking for young quarterback prospects to develop if they don't have to give up significant draft capital to attain them. In a way, the Jets may not have a major market for their quarterback, but there could be teams interested in taking a flier out for him.
It's why the Fields trade is so important for the Jets trade negotiations. They may have to give away money or draft picks, but the organization has now seen several quarterbacks as bad or worse than Wilson go to other organizations despite a very low market.
