Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets
NEW YORK — Don’t forgot about Zach Wilson.
In February, the Jets granted Wilsons’ agent permission to find a trade partner. New York was hoping for some market to form and at least receive a Day 3 draft pick, but there have been no reports or rumors of any interest.
The 2021 NFL quarterback draft class has begun to unravel this offseason. Former No. 11 overall pick Justin Fields and No. 15 pick Mac Jones were both traded for sixth-round picks – leaving the Jets’ Zach Wilson as the last domino to fall.
NFL teams have looked to other alternatives to fill their backup quarterback position. Kenny Pickett was trade to the Philadelphia Eagles. Desmond Ridder has landed with the Arizona Cardinals. And Sam Howell is now in Seattle with the Seahawks.
Where does this leave Wilson and the Jets?
“The Jets are trying to find a new home for him, but the trade market hasn’t been kind,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote Sunday.
If they cut him, they would take a dead-money hit of $11.2 million on the salary cap. If they trade him, they cut the dead-money hit to $5.7 million.
The Zach Wilson project in New York appears to be all but over, but how long will the saga continue on?
Keeping Wilson under contract for one more year and letting him walk in 2025 might be the only realistic path for New York.
