Keep or Drop: Jets and Zach Wilson in 2024?

The previous season was intended to serve as a “reset year” for Zach Wilson, but just after five snaps into the season, he found himself leading another struggling Jets offense. The initial plan was for Wilson to observe and learn from Aaron Rodgers, with the coaching staff optimistic that this experience would put him on a trajectory to realize his potential. However, this plan was thwarted by Rodgers’ season-ending injury.

While Wilson still has one more year left on his rookie contract, there is growing sentiment that a change of environment might be the optimal solution for both the player and the team. So, is it advisable for the Jets to retain Wilson?

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Reasons to Retain Wilson:

The primary justification for the Jets holding onto Wilson would hinge on their continued belief in his potential, as perceived during his drafting in 2021. Despite a challenging season marked by occasional benchings, some within the organization may attribute his struggles to adverse conditions, such as an injury-ridden offensive line and underperforming receivers. While it’s increasingly challenging to make excuses for him, noteworthy performances against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans suggest that with a better supporting cast, Wilson could deliver more consistently.

Furthermore, retaining Wilson might be a strategic move to demonstrate support for a player they invested in through the draft. This show of faith could positively impact the team’s reputation and appeal to potential signings from outside the organization. On the flip side, parting ways with him might be perceived as unfair, especially if external factors are seen as contributing significantly to his struggles.

A final consideration is Wilson’s guaranteed salary, which complicates the decision. Trading him would be preferable to avoid paying the guaranteed salary, but if no suitable trade offers materialize, releasing him would mean the Jets have to pay him anyway. In this scenario, the team might be compelled to retain him.

Reasons Against Retaining Wilson:

In the 2023 season, Wilson’s struggles, resulting in multiple benchings, significantly impacted the Jets, leading to losses in several low-scoring games that could have been winnable with even a modest performance from the quarterback position. The argument is that if Wilson had not been part of the team, the Jets would have been prompted to bring in a veteran backup sooner. This hypothetical replacement could have potentially secured victories against teams like the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, and Las Vegas Raiders, potentially placing the Jets in playoff contention.

While some defenders of Wilson may attribute his difficulties to the underperforming offensive line and receivers, a more objective assessment suggests that he exacerbated these issues by lacking decisiveness, accuracy, pocket awareness, and the ability to read opposing defenses and set protections correctly.

The Jets have signaled their intention to bring in an experienced veteran as a backup quarterback. Considering the financial implications, paying both Rodgers and a veteran backup, the team may be motivated to remove Wilson’s salary from the books. If an immediate trade isn’t feasible, the Jets might even consider offering a pre-trade bonus to the acquiring team, although this would impact their overall salary cap savings.

Final Decision:

Backing for Zach Wilson is diminishing both internally within the organization and among the fanbase. Despite a potentially limited trade market for him, it appears that the Jets have made a definitive choice, signaling that Wilson is not in their future plans.

The lukewarm evaluation of Wilson by head coach Robert Saleh during the end-of-season press conference clearly indicates that the Jets have neither the desire nor the expectation to retain Wilson. Only time will reveal the wisdom of this decision.