Jets GENERAL supervisor Joe Douglas held his pre-draft press convention Friday in Florham Park.
A piece of the 15-minute session with reporters was spent speaking a couple of 2021 draft decide as a substitute of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Douglas fielded a number of questions in regards to the standing of Zach Wilson, the No. 2 total decide in 2021, who stays on the Jets roster regardless of the participant and the group submitting for divorce months in the past.
There was not a lot information to report. Wilson shouldn’t be taking part within the voluntary spring exercises, as you’d anticipate. The group gave his agent permission to hunt a commerce months in the past. The Jets haven’t discovered a taker.
“Zach is an asset,” Douglas stated. “On the identical time, we’re clearly open to buying and selling Zach. There have been discussions. Nothing has actually modified since we talked down in Florida [at the March owners’ meetings]. We’re open to buying and selling him. There’s simply no information to report on that.”
The “asset” a part of that quote is the fascinating factor. It echoes what proprietor Woody Johnson stated final month on the house owners’ conferences. Johnson stated the group received’t launch Wilson if they will’t discover a commerce associate.
Is it posturing? Possibly.
However there additionally appears like an actual sense across the Jets that they might not launch Wilson if they will’t commerce him. Johnson might not wish to eat the $5.5 million assured coming to Wilson this yr. Any commerce goes to contain the Jets paying a portion of his 2024 compensation, however the Jets clearly hope somebody will take a piece of that wage off their palms. Wilson is due a $4.4 million roster bonus at first of coaching camp. If the Jets pay all of that, then transferring on turns into even more durable to swallow.
Subsequent week’s draft appears like the very best probability the Jets have left of buying and selling Wilson. A lot of the quarterback seats are taken, each beginning and backup, or will likely be stuffed within the draft. However possibly there’s a group that misses out on a quarterback goal subsequent week and is prepared to take a flier on Wilson.
If the Jets can’t transfer him through the draft, it’s time to maneuver on.
The Jets ought to launch Wilson in the event that they get up April 29 and no commerce has materialized. It’s time for the inheritor to the Johnson & Johnson fortune to tear the Band-Help off.
It could be exaggerating to name Wilson a distraction at this level. The scenario is extra like a hangnail. It’s simply annoying sufficient to annoy you.
I wish to emphasize I stated the scenario, not Wilson himself, who has stayed quiet because the finish of the season. Sooner or later, although, this might turn into extra than simply an annoyance. What if Wilson or his agent determine to begin making noise to pressure their approach out? Do the Jets actually need Wilson coming to coaching camp as their third quarterback? Guess what? That would be the story of the day if that occurs, not the brand new additions or the return of Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets stay optimistic that they will commerce Wilson however it’s onerous to see it proper now. The marketplace for failed 2021 quarterbacks has been set. The Patriots traded Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a 2024 sixth-round decide. The Bears traded Justin Fields to the Steelers for a 2025 sixth-round decide that may develop into a fourth rounder primarily based on enjoying time. Each Jones and Fields are cheaper than Wilson and it may be argued they’ve proven extra potential, notably Fields.
There may be about to be a flood of optimism across the Jets. There all the time is after the NFL draft. Followers will likely be enthusiastic about whomever they add at No. 10. Rodgers is again on the observe area. They’ve added some thrilling free brokers. Wilson’s presence on the roster will likely be a drag on that. It’s not value it for the Jets to proceed carrying him on the roster.
For now, the story is Wilson’s staying away from the spring program. He ought to keep away. In the event you have been Wilson, would you report back to work for individuals who have clearly stated they don’t need you round anymore? All of that is voluntary till June’s mini-camp.
“I feel it’s every participant’s alternative whether or not they wish to be right here for part one,” Douglas stated. “These are all voluntary. There’s fairly just a few gamers that haven’t come for the primary week. That’s a choice for Zach to make if he desires to be right here.”
I feel it’s fairly clear that Wilson not desires to be in Florham Park and the Jets not need him in Florham Park.
In the event you can’t discover him a brand new group subsequent weekend, it’s time to finalize the divorce, Woody.
