Jets Continue To Insist Zach Wilson Is A Valuable Asset When Facts Say Otherwise
The New York Jets are still trying to trade quarterback Zach Wilson and the reason the move hasn't been made yet is obviously because no one has been willing to give up the sort of return (or any return) the Jets would like for the exchange.
So on Friday, during his press conference held to discuss next week's NFL draft, general manager Joe Douglas found himself addressing the worst pick of his career – the one he made during the 2021 draft when he selected Wilson with the second overall pick.
Except Douglas didn't address the Wilson situation in that context.
New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas attends a press conference to introduce Aaron Rodgers. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Joe Douglas Values Zach Wilson
The talk was more along the lines of Zach Wilson is awesome. But we would like to trade him, anyway.
"…Zach is an asset," Douglas said. "At the same time we're obviously open to trading Zach. There have been discussions. Nothing's really changed since we talked down in Florida [at the NFL annual meeting in March].
"But we're open to trading him, there's just no news to report on that."
Give me a second to stop chuckling.
OK, so there is no criticism due Douglas for holding firm to the idea Wilson is a valuable trade piece and the Jets aren't going to simply cast him off for, well, practically nothing.
The GM is doing what he can to get something ahead of or during the draft next week.
He's trying to do what he can to save that $5.4 million in cap space a trade would allot the Jets.
Jets GM Joe Douglas believed the team's trade for Aaron Rodgers is a "great thing" for former #2 overall pick Zach Wilson. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Rest Of NFL Sees Wilson Facts
The thing is, the rest of the NFL has eyes. And everyone sees the facts that lead any sane person to conclude the Jets will either have to release Wilson before training camp, or give him up for maybe a seventh-round draft pick at some point.
The asset the Jets talk about, you see, is not worth a notable investment.
That's because the Jets are kind of backed into a corner trying to trade a lemon as if he's a solid daily driver.
The fact is, and other teams have no qualms making this point privately, that Zach Wilson doesn't want to be on the Jets anymore. And the Jets have obviously also moved on, with Aaron Rodgers as their starter and Tyrod Taylor signed in this offseason to serve as the backup.
This is like a divorce that has already been sealed in court, but the couple is inexplicably still sharing an apartment.
That leaves Wilson floating around, looking for some place to move on – which his representation has been doing for months.
Wilson Understandably Skips Workouts
Wilson isn't at the Jets current offseason conditioning program. Douglas said he'd welcome his attendance, but let's be honest, the Jets don't want the guy there any more than Wilson would want to attend.
Douglas is just saying that to avoid hurting Wilson's trade value more than it already is.
The followup question to Douglas after he says Wilson can attend the training program is, "Why?"
Why would the Jets want Wilson showing up to such an uncomfortable situation -- with people talking behind his back, knowing he wants out and the club wants him gone?
Why would the Jets be open to that dysfunctional dynamic?
And, more importantly, why would any team be open to paying anything other than a throwaway draft pick for Wilson?
Where Wilson Might Fit
It is mid-April. Most teams, even those without a flat-out starting quarterback, have their backup quarterback in the fold. The Vikings do, the Patriots do. Even the Broncos, Raiders, Commanders and Giants have a viable and stable backup QB situation despite their uncertain starting situation.
So where does Wilson, with his history as an on-field liability and $5.7 million cap number, fit?
The choices are slim.
Maybe the Patriots if they don't draft a quarterback, which is unlikely. Maybe the Broncos if they don't add a starter, which would promote Jarrett Stidham to being the starter. Perhaps the Chargers or Packers if they want to gamble.
It's not a big field of possibilities. So the Jets are holding Wilson hostage and there aren't many teams who will consider their ransom demand.
The Jets must know this by now. They must know no amount of salesmanship is going to get them a mid-level draft "asset" for Zach Wilson.