The New York Jets have given Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade, general manager Joe Douglas revealed during his media availability at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
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Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, appears to be on the move after a frustrating first three seasons of his NFL career.
One league source tells FanBuzz that Wilson's ceiling at this stage of his career is merely that of a developmental backup. That assessment isn't surprising given the fact that the former BYU alum has completed just 57 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns to 25 interceptions thus far in his career.
If the Jets are able to find a trade partner, there are a few possible teams that make some sense for Wilson, both from a scheme and need perspective.
Las Vegas Raiders
There might not be a better situation for Wilson to push for a starting job in 2024 than with the Las Vegas Raiders.
All signs point to the Raiders moving on from Garoppolo, who faces a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's Performance Enhancing Drug Policy. Given that Aidan O'Connell, chosen in the fourth round of last year's draft, is the most experienced quarterback on the Raiders' roster, Wilson could arrive in Las Vegas with a legitimate chance to compete for a starting job.
Likewise, since the Raiders are set to pick No. 13 overall, head coach Antonio Pierce and company are likely out of reach for one of the top quarterback prospects in this year's class and potentially too far down the board to make a trade up into the top-three selections palatable.
Indianapolis Colts
Last season, the Colts saw first-hand the value of having a quality backup.
Fortunately for Indianapolis, when No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson was lost for the season due to an injured throwing shoulder in Week 5 — after playing just 12 quarters, Gardner Minshew was waiting in the wings. Minshew played the Colts to the doorstep of the AFC South championship, just missing out on a postseason berth, and likely has the chance to cash in as one of the league's highest-paid backup quarterbacks when free agency opens.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen is a rising offensive mind, and helped propel Jalen Hurts into the MVP conversation during the 2022 campaign. Wilson could benefit from working under Steichen, and could be ready to take the field at a moment's notice if Richardson suffers another injury in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers
There isn't a more quarterback-friendly system in the league than Kyle Shanahan's offense with the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers are committed to Brock Purdy, who came a Patrick Mahomes overtime clinic shy of winning the Super Bowl.
However, with Sam Darnold likely to exit the Bay Area when free agency begins, Wilson could be the next incoming freshman into the Shanahan School of Quarterback Rehabilitation. For Wilson, the 49ers represent the chance to learn from one of the league's brightest minds with one of its most explosive collections of skill players, and for San Francisco, Wilson has experience and potential upside not realized in part to subpar coaching thus far in his career.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles, and general manager Howie Roseman have never been shy about taking chances on young quarterbacks with upside and developing them into potential trade chips in the years after signing or drafting them.
Likewise, Marcus Mariota is set to become an unrestricted free agent one underperforming season after signing a one-year deal worth $5 million. Wilson could be a solid scheme fit for Kellen Moore's offense that focuses on a dominant ground game, and given the abundance of playmakers the Eagles have surrounded quarterback Jalen Hurts with.
Philadelphia would allow Wilson to learn behind Hurts and he could potentially be an option to trade ahead of the deadline if a contending team loses their starter and gets desperate to find a young replacement.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are unlikely to exercise backup quarterback Trey Lance's fifth-year option and could look to add a veteran understudy for Dak Prescott, who is primed to potentially become the highest-paid quarterback in the league.
Dallas is all-in on the 2024 season, but also must navigate a difficult salary cap situation to both lower Prescott's cap number and potentially sign wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to an extension, as well, which could limit how much they spend on a backup quarterback.
If nothing else, Wilson is an affordable option who could significantly benefit as a developmental backup, under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who helped turn Prescott into an MVP candidate in 2023.
