QB Zach Wilson, New York Jets. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The New York Jets appear willing to bring back Zach Wilson for the 2023 season in a move that won’t go over well with the fan base.
The New York Jets are still alive for a playoff berth in Week 17 largely in spite of their quarterback play. Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, has put together some of the worst quarterback performances in the league this season and was benched for the second time this year when Mike White was cleared to return to action after suffering some broken ribs in Week 14.
Despite reports from FOX’s Jay Glazer that the Jets were prepared to move on from Wilson after the season, the organization has publicly stood by their young quarterback as an integral part of their future. It now appears there is a possibility that Wilson could return in 2023 in a decision that could send angry Jets fans into a true state of rage.
The Jets may still bring back Zach Wilson for 2023
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Jets are keeping Wilson in their plans for next season with GM Joe Douglas not planning to shop him in the trade market. The organization views Wilson as a good teammate and hard worker who has responded well to his demotions, with one source telling Rapoport “He’s going to get better”.
There are also financial considerations for the Jets, who still have to pay Wilson $9.31 million over the next two years, an amount that is fully guaranteed. Cutting Wilson would mean the Jets are on the hook for that full amount in dead salary cap space while it’s hard to say if any team would be interested in taking on that money in a trade.
It is hard to tell if the Jets are serious about keeping Wilson or simply using Rapoport’s report to maintain leverage in offseason discussions, but bringing Wilson back with any shot to the starter would not go well with fans who feel he has cos this team a shot at the playoffs. It may also impede any efforts to attract a more capable quarterback, such as Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo, to come to New York if they feel that the organization will slant any competition in favor of Wilson.