In the span of just three seasons, Zach Wilson has gone from being the one of the top quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft to starting for the New York Jets, to being demoted to a backup role, to starting again and finally being traded. Talk about a whirlwind three years for a young man who has yet to turn 25 years old.
After the Jacksonville Jaguars nabbed Trevor Lawrence with the first pick, the Jets had the option to add either Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, or Mac Jones, all deemed worthy of a first-round selection. Although Jones has statistically been the best of the remaining four, earning a Pro-Bowl berth in his rookie season, the New England Patriots record has been worse than the Jets over the three year span.
Following three yo-yo seasons in the Big Apple, the Jets traded Wilson and a seventh-round pick to the Denver Broncos for a sixth-round pick. Starting 33 of 34 games for the Jets with a 12-21 record, Wilson struggled to find consistency, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns (25-23) and connecting on 57% of his passes. While the quarterback is the focal point of any NFL offense, the Jets’ lack of success wasn’t solely Wilson’s fault.
Welcome to New York
The New York Jets have been terrible for over a decade with their last winning season coming in 2015 and their last post-season appearance coming in 2010 when they lost 24-19 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. Over the decade of futility, the Jets have trotted out Ryan Sanchez, Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh McCown, Sam Darnold, and Wilson as their starting quarterbacks.
As a rookie given the keys to pilot a rebuilding team while dealing with the pressures that come with playing in New York, Wilson’s first season was a mix of highlights, routine plays, and inconsistent decision-making resulting in turnovers. Wilson’s sophomore season was more of the same but on a smaller scale as the result of injuries that limited him to just 9 games.
When the Jets brought Aaron Rodgers in to be their starting QB for the 2023 season, many thought that this would be the ideal situation for Wilson to learn from one of the game’s greatest players. A four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, Rodgers, and a pair of 2023 draft picks cost the Jets three 2023 picks and a second-round pick in 2024. While Rodgers was on the dark side of his career, he was still one of the league’s elite and the opportunity to mentor Wilson seemed like a good fit.
Unfortunately, that plan came to a crashing halt four plays into the first game of the season as Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon, once again placing the ball in the hands of Wilson. Although the math says that he had the best season of his young career, the inconsistency was still there, leading the Jets to make the trade.
Change Of Scenery
Stop if you heard this before. A team in the midst of a rebuild seeking a young quarterback to lead them out of years of being mediocre at best. That’s the situation that Wilson finds himself once again. Away from the harsh New York media, Wilson has the chance to do what another Wilson (Russell) could not by improving the Denver Broncos odds on getting back to a winning record. Competing with rookie Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham, Wilson could find himself starting for a team with a better offensive line, more talented targets, and a proven head coach.
Where Does This Leave The Jets
The Jets are placing big money on Aaron Rodgers to come back from a serious injury at the age of 41 and be the same MVP-caliber player he once was. With speed, mobility, and arm strength on the decline, the question is, what does Rodgers have left in the tank? Will the Jets’ offensive line protect Rodgers more than they did Wilson? Other than Garrett Wilson (WR), Breece Hall (RB), and Tyler Conklin (TE) will Rodgers have any other offensive options that can put points up on the board?
And what if Rodgers gets hurt (knock on wood for all you Jets fans)? Wilson’s place as the sideline clipboard holder is taken by fourteen-year veteran Tyrod Taylor. With a wealth of experience, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2012 and a Pro Bowl appearance in 2015, Taylor gives the Jets’ offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett someone who can quickly pick up his playbook and execute with relative consistency.
A three-year starter from 2015 to 2017 with the Buffalo Bills and a 28-28-1 record as a starting quarterback, Taylor’s knowledge of the game and ability to make the big play gives the Jets a different option on special plays or security if Rodgers goes down. With Rodgers missing all of minicamp this summer, Taylor has been given QB1 snaps allowing himself to become familiar with the starting unit. At 35 years old when the season kicks off, Taylor isn’t the Jets quarterback of the future, but in a “win now” and “what have you done for me lately” sports world, the Jets and their fans certainly view him as an upgrade for their present.
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