The era of Zach Wilson in New York appears to be drawing to a close.
Selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Wilson’s tenure with the Jets has been marked by unmet expectations. Originally intended to learn behind Aaron Rodgers, Wilson was unexpectedly thrust into the starting role in 2023 due to an Achilles injury to the team’s primary quarterback.
Unfortunately, Wilson struggled to perform at the level anticipated, leading to his eventual benching. With his departure from New York imminent, there seems to be minimal interest from other teams in trading for him. Wilson’s lackluster performance on the field, coupled with his relatively high salary for 2024, has deterred potential suitors. As a result, it’s likely that the Jets will release him in the near future.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Wilson has been granted permission to explore trade options, but his guaranteed $5.5 million salary serves as a significant obstacle. Additionally, his inconsistent performance history further diminishes his appeal to potential trade partners. It remains to be seen how long the Jets will hold out hope for a trade before opting for his release.
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“Wilson has permission to speak to teams about a trade, but his salary (a guaranteed $5.5 million) is a deterrent, not to mention his checkered body of work. He’s probably hoping for his release, so he can find a job with no strings attached. It’ll be interesting to see how long the Jets hold out hope for a trade,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported.
With his eyes set on a fresh start elsewhere, Wilson will seek to capitalize on a second opportunity in the NFL.
