Zach Wilson to be traded by the New York Jets: three prime landing destinations

The expectation was that Zach Wilson, who was selected by the New York Jets with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, would assist supporters who were nostalgic about Joe Namath forget about the team’s long-standing quarterback problems in the Big Apple. After three years in the game, the former BYU standout has failed to live up to the hype.

The Jets are now anticipated to move Wilson this summer, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. With one more year on his contract and only 25 years old, there will be a market for the former first-round choice. Particularly at quarterback, teams are constantly searching for low-cost, high-potential athletes.

Wilson will receive numerous second chances, much like Carson Wentz, Sam Darnold, and other guys. For a young quarterback who was selected so highly, that is life. Furthermore, a lot of clubs probably think they can do better and feel Wilson wasn’t given all the resources he needed to succeed with the Jets.

Wilson’s $11 million budget number is a little higher than average for a backup, but it shouldn’t be a major barrier for clubs that need a quarterback and want to light things up. These are only a handful of possible destinations for Wilson in the next offseason.

After this season, Geno Smith will be 34 years old and his contract will expire in two years. Smith will be the sole player remaining on the roster going into the offseason as Drew Lock is a free agent. It was widely reported that the Seahawks were considering several elite quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, indicating their intention to select a young player for the position.

Zach Wilson is a reclamation project that the Seahawks could take on if they decide not to choose a quarterback. Wilson is a smaller, more athletic quarterback than the Seahawks have previously used, and he probably wouldn’t cost more than a late-round selection. Wilson should be asked to start even a few games.

Sam Darnold was signed by the San Francisco 49ers a year ago as insurance in case Brock Purdy’s season didn’t work out. This offseason, Kyle Shanahan might make the same addition to a team that hasn’t yet reached its full potential by selecting a past top pick.

Wilson would, however, be in the greatest situation if he landed in San Francisco, thanks to Shanahan’s QB-friendly offence that features a wide variety of weapons who can gain yardage after the catch. Would Wilson genuinely want to play somewhere else?

Gardner Minshew did all he could to help the Indianapolis Colts reach the playoffs after Anthony Richardson went down with an injury. But now he’s a free agent and could be looking for a better opportunity to see playing time again instead of being stuck behind a franchise quarterback who will get all the reps he can handle.

Yet, the Colts must do something else at the QB position behind their top pick. Sam Ehlinger will still be under contract, but if he’s thrust into a similar situation as Minshew was, do the Colts have the same confidence that he can lead a winning effort? Wilson on the other hand, could benefit from the creative scheme Shane Steichen has put together while relying on a strong running game. He has no shot of becoming the future in Indianapolis, but with how often Richardson was hurt in his rookie year, Wilson may view the situation as a risk he’s willing to take.