According to a report by Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, several teams in the market for a backup or developmental quarterback are unlikely to pursue a trade for New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.
Rosenblatt indicates that the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, and Denver Broncos are all expected to explore other options for their quarterback needs, bypassing Wilson for various reasons.
For the 49ers, Wilson’s struggles adapting to a version of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense may disqualify him from consideration. Similarly, the Bills don’t appear to hold a high opinion of Wilson’s potential, while the Broncos seem to have excluded him from their list of quarterback targets.
Selected by the Jets as the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft with hopes of him becoming a franchise quarterback, Wilson has failed to live up to those expectations.
In his first two seasons, Wilson garnered an 8-14 record as a starter, completing only 55.2 percent of his passes for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.
Following an aggressive move by the Jets last offseason to acquire future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, expectations were high. However, Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on the first offensive series of the season, thrusting Wilson back into action.
Wilson made 11 starts in 12 games, going 4-7 while completing 60.1 percent of his passes for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Despite the opportunity, his performance remained inconsistent, leading to his benching for journeyman quarterbacks Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian late in the season.
With Rodgers expected to return and reclaim the starting role next season, the Jets no longer have a need for Wilson on their roster. Consequently, General Manager Joe Douglas announced that the team granted Wilson permission to seek a trade, recognizing that both parties could benefit from a fresh start.
However, for Wilson, the trade market remains uncertain, given his struggles and age. It’s unclear if any team would be willing to part with assets in exchange for a 24-year-old quarterback who has faced significant challenges in the NFL.
In the case of the 49ers, they likely have Brock Purdy locked in as their starting quarterback after reaching the Super Bowl last season. Although Sam Darnold served as the backup last season, he is set to become a free agent.
Meanwhile, the Bills have their franchise quarterback in Josh Allen, but they need to address the backup quarterback position with Kyle Allen entering free agency.
As for the Broncos, while Wilson could be a potential option given their need for a starter if they move on from Russell Wilson as expected, there may be better alternatives available.
Rosenblatt suggests that the Broncos might pursue a trade for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields or Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell.
Alternatively, they could address the quarterback position in the upcoming draft, where they hold the No. 12 overall pick, presenting opportunities to acquire talents like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Oregon’s Bo Nix, or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.
