Quarterback Zach Wilson has been absent from the New York Jets’ voluntary offseason workouts as he continues to seek a trade, but there hasn’t been any progress on a potential deal.
As the NFL Draft approaches next week, it seems that teams are waiting to see how they address their quarterback needs with available prospects before determining whether to pursue Wilson.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas mentioned in a statement to reporters on Friday that he has engaged in discussions with other teams, but there hasn’t been any significant movement.
“We’re open to trading Zach,” Douglas stated via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “There have been discussions. Nothing has really changed since we talked down in Florida, but we’re open to trading him. There’s just no news to report on that.”
During his previous three seasons with the Jets, Wilson consistently participated in offseason workouts. His absence this year suggests that he may no longer see a future for himself on the team’s roster and reflects his frustration with the lack of progress in securing a trade.
To address the backup quarterback position behind Aaron Rodgers, the Jets have already signed free agent Tyrod Taylor to a two-year deal worth up to $18 million. Taylor, a seasoned 13-year veteran, is expected to offer a more dependable option if Rodgers is unable to play.
Wilson’s performance last season continued to show inconsistency and a lack of improvement. In 12 games, including 11 starts, the third-year professional completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The Jets recorded a 4–7 record in games where he played.
In his three seasons with the Jets since being selected as the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, Wilson has posted a record of 12–21 as a starter, accumulating 6,293 passing yards, along with 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.
In addition to concerns about his performance, Wilson’s contract presents a potential hurdle to a trade. While he could potentially be a good fit for teams like the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers, Wilson’s guaranteed salary of $5.45 million for the 2024 season may exceed the budget of several teams for a backup quarterback. The extent to which the Jets are willing to cover this cost to facilitate a trade is also a factor.
The Jets could opt to release Wilson, but this move would incur an $11.2 million hit on their salary cap. This is the same amount the team would be obligated to pay if Wilson remains on their roster. Consequently, both team owner Woody Johnson and general manager Douglas have stated that retaining Wilson remains a possibility. However, this could lead to potential disruptions during training camp and ongoing drama throughout the season.
