Zach Wilson New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) walks off the field after losing to the Detroit Lions, 20-17, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Nfl Ny Jets Vs Detroit Lions Lions At Jets

After a tumultuous season, in which he was benched multiple times for his performance, Zach Wilson’s days in New York no longer appeared to be numbered.

In a recent article in The Athletic, NFL insider Jeff Howe revealed that the Jets don’t intend to trade Wilson, despite his shortcomings. Obviously, that could change if New York receives an offer it cannot refuse, but Howe’s current reporting indicates that Wilson’s staying put — for now.

“The Jets don’t intend to trade their 2021 first-round pick because there’s hope he can develop while learning more in a backup capacity,” Howe wrote.

Howe also reported what many others in the industry have already stated, that the Jets “remain poised to acquire a veteran quarterback this offseason to take over the starting job.” The names to watch — Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr — shouldn’t come as a surprise at this current junction.

While the Jets have seemingly mishandled Wilson’s development, it’s clear that the organization still believes that he’s talented enough to be salvaged. The Jets drafted Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft hoping that he’d be the organization’s franchise quarterback for years to come, but he hasn’t developed as quickly as the talent around him.

With Wilson due to make $3.855 million in 2023, he could serve as a low-cost backup, theoretically developing behind a veteran starter. The Jets are ready to win now and need a quarterback who matches that timeline. Nathaniel Hackett, who was recently hired to replace Mike LaFleur as New York’s offensive coordinator, will likely be tasked with Wilson’s development from here on out.

It remains to be seen whether or not the BYU product can be a capable NFL starter.

[The Athletic]

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.