Jets will hold Zach Wilson if they can not commerce him: Woody Johnson

ORLANDO, Fla. — May Zach be again?

Jets proprietor Woody Johnson mentioned Monday that the workforce received’t launch quarterback Zach Wilson if it may possibly’t discover a commerce associate for him.

“If we don’t commerce him, we’re going to maintain him,” Johnson mentioned on the NFL house owners conferences.

The Jets have been looking for somebody all for taking the previous No. 2 general choose off their fingers, however nothing has materialized.

Johnson could have simply been posturing on Monday to attempt to keep away from destroying any commerce worth Wilson could have, nevertheless it was stunning to listen to Johnson say the Jets would take into account holding onto Wilson.

Johnson acknowledged that it could be higher for Wilson to get a recent begin with one other workforce.

“From his standpoint, it’s in all probability higher if he modifies faces and will get to a brand new place and he can wipe the slate clear,” Johnson mentioned. “I believe that may in all probability be higher for him.”

Whereas Johnson mentioned {that a} new workforce could be in Wilson’s finest curiosity, he made it clear he’s not going to only give him away.

“Zach is a invaluable asset,” Johnson mentioned. “I mentioned it could be higher for him. No, we’re not simply going to launch him.”

Jets basic supervisor Joe Douglas mentioned he has been speaking to Wilson’s agent, Brian Ayrault, who has had permission to discover a commerce associate since simply after the season ended.

Douglas mentioned he additionally has talked to some groups, however nothing is imminent.

“There have been plenty of good conversations along with his agent,” Douglas mentioned Monday. “There have been some discussions with groups concerning a commerce. I’ve bought no information to report. There’s nothing near being achieved on that entrance.”

Johnson’s tone about Wilson modified from Tremendous Bowl week final month when Johnson mentioned, “We want a backup quarterback. We didn’t have one final 12 months.”

Wilson went 12-21 as a Jets starter and had struggles on and off the sector throughout his first three seasons.

Johnson mentioned he needs Wilson bought to sit down behind Aaron Rodgers final season, because the workforce deliberate.

As an alternative, Wilson took over 4 performs into the season when Rodgers bought harm.

“I really feel badly about Zach in some methods,” Johnson mentioned. “Final 12 months would have been nice, it could have been the primary time he might simply sit again and watch a grasp at work. He’s by no means had that. He’s been within the hearth from Day 1. I believe that’s what he wants. He must be in a spot the place he can observe for some time. He’s bought the ability. He can do all the things. There’s a cause we drafted him at No. 2 general. I’ve confidence that he’ll get there sooner or later.”

There was a report from Professional Soccer Speak on Monday that the Jets have obtained affords for Wilson however Johnson has been the one stopping the commerce. Johnson mentioned that isn’t true.

“I don’t nix them,” Johnson mentioned. “If it was nixed, it could be Joe that nixed it.”

The Jets and Wilson would each profit from a commerce getting achieved sooner moderately than later, however Douglas mentioned it needs to be a transfer that works for the Jets. They don’t simply need to unload him.

“I believe the trick is to have it’s useful for the workforce and the participant,” Douglas mentioned. “And I believe that’s what all people’s working towards, however in the end we’re going to need to do what’s proper for the workforce.”

Douglas spoke to reporters earlier than Johnson mentioned the workforce wouldn’t launch Wilson.

Douglas was requested if he might envision Wilson remaining with the Jets into 2024.

“We’re so early on this offseason course of,” Douglas mentioned. “There’s plenty of meat left on the bone in relation to even attending to coaching camp and even OTAs. I haven’t even on condition that a lot thought.”