The New York Jets will look to retain Zach Wilson for the 2024 campaign if they are unable to find a trade partner for the quarterback, according to the franchise’s owner Woody Johnson.
The Jets have been searching for a potential team to negotiate a trade for Wilson, but they have failed to find an agreement so far.
Zach Wilson denies being the problem in the New York Jets offense
That is not to say they haven’t received any offers, with NBC Sports suggesting the Jets have fielded enquiries for the 24-year-old. However, they are not satisfied with the offers made to trade the former No.2 overall pick and are holding out for better deals.
Johnson said on Monday the Jets would look to keep Wilson if they can’t find a team to trade him to, although many have viewed this as a tactic to encourage better offers and increase his value.
“If we don’t trade him, we’re going to keep him,” Johnson said at the NFL owners’ meetings.
Wilson was signed as a backup to Aaron Rodgers, but the 40-year-old’s serious Achilles injury forced Wilson to become their automatic starter just four games into the season. Tyrod Taylor was signed to provide backup while Rodgers was recovering.
But with the Jets going 7-10 in 2023, the blame was laid at Wilson‘s feet. He threw for 2,271 yards and passed for only eight touchdowns, with seven interceptions highlighting his inexperience at the top level.
Will Zach Wilson leave the Jets?
It would be a surprise if the Jets held onto Wilson after the owner’s brutal comments regarding his performance. At the NFL Honors, Johnson was quoted saying: “We need a backup quarterback. We didn’t have one last year.”
On Monday, coach Robert Saleh declined to comment on Wilson‘s potential exit during a press availability at the annual meetings. Saleh said he would defer to their general manager Joe Douglas, who may do the same and pass the buck to Johnson.
Indeed, if it is Johnson’s decision, Wilson may be heading out the door – and if not now, then in the future. The billionaire owner, 76, has acknowledged that it would be better for Wilson to get a fresh start elsewhere.
“From his standpoint, it’s probably better if he changes faces and gets to a new place and he can wipe the slate clean,” Johnson said. “I think that would probably be better for him.”
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