NFL Trade Rumors: Jets Seek to Move Zach Wilson After Replacing Injured Aaron Rodgers

The New York Jets are expected to pursue their trade avenues for quarterback Zach Wilson, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Wilson has one more guaranteed year remaining on his rookie contract. Trading him would mean carrying $5.7 million in dead money but saving $5.5 million for the 2024 season.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Wilson was already told weeks ago he's on the way out:

The reports come as little surprise because continuing this partnership any further doesn't suit either side. Earlier this week, head coach Robert Saleh was noncommittal about his future in the Big Apple.

Assuming Aaron Rodgers has fully recovered from his torn Achilles by then, Wilson will once again be relegated to backup duty when the 2024 season kicks off. The 24-year-old would benefit from being in a less pressurized situation where he at least has a path to the starting role.

The Jets, for their part, simply can't go into another year with Wilson as the contingency plan at quarterback. He's not good enough to start for a franchise that has Super Bowl aspirations.

The 2021 first-round pick has shown little improvement through his three years in the league. Before going on injured reserve, he threw for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 12 appearances. His 30.2 QBR is the worst in the NFL.

A trade certainty suits New York much better. Since his 2024 salary is fully guaranteed, cutting him outright would mean the team gets no savings and has to absorb his entire $11.2 million cap hit.

Rapoport asserted "every quarterback gets traded" when alluding to the minimal value Wilson will likely have. Because of the finances involved, maybe the Jets are willing to settle for almost nothing in return.

But it's tough to see how there will be much of a market given both Wilson's lackluster production to date and New York's desire to jettison him now coming out into the open.