The New York Jets quarterback sitting is currently a disaster. Really, it’s been that way since Joe Namath. But the Jets are hoping Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy this season in a quest to take the team to the Super Bowl.
But the Zach Wilson experiment is over for the Jets. General manager Joe Douglas said the team permitted Wilson to seek a trade this offseason. The Jets will need to spend the next few weeks trying to find a trade partner before deciding if their better option is to cut Wilson.
The Las Vegas Raiders could be a trade option for Wilson
Dec 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Cody Benjamin with CBS Sports named the Las Vegas Raiders as a logical landing spot for Wilson:Ezoic
“They need a QB, and while Wilson may not be that guy, he’d at least offer more competition for Aidan O’Connell under center. That is, of course, if the new regime doesn’t work hard to leave the first round of the 2024 draft with a new signal-caller, and/or swing bigger via trade for someone like Justin Fields.”
Wilson, who worked under Rodgers’ offense last season, would have some familiarity with the concepts Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams was used to with the Green Bay Packers. A Wilson-to-Adams connection in Las Vegas would be an entertaining sight to see next season.
Someone has to pay for the New York Jets’ mistake
Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
But there’s one problem with any trade involving Wilson as the result of the team basically declaring the fourth-year player a draft bust.
As previously discussed on GH, The Jets owe him $5.4 million for the final year of his rookie deal and have a cap hit of $11.1 million for 2025. Mike Florio with NBC Sports thinks the Jets would have to send a team a draft pick plus Wilson in order to save the $5.4 million they ow Wilson for 2024.
While it usually isn’t ideal for a team to give away a player and a draft pick for no player or draft pick in return, saving $5.4 million could help the Jets to add help for this season as they go all-in with Rodgers this year.
Proposed trade for Zach Wilson
Dec 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jets Receive
The Raiders take on Wilson’s $5.4 million
Raiders receive
Wilson
113th overall pick in the draft (4th round)
The Raiders would get a Day 3 pick in return for Wilson’s hefty final year of his rookie contract, and they’d get the young quarterback to compete for a starting spot in a more stable situation next season. The Jets would clear some cap space so they can add depth to their offensive line to keep Rodgers healthy.