The quarterback position has been a major topic of discussion for the New York Jets over the last few weeks. Their Super Bowl aspirations went down the drain when Aaron Rodgers injured his Achilles four plays into his career with Gang Green as he was replaced by Zach Wilson.
The first two starts under Wilson were disastrous, as the Jets lost in a blowout to the Dallas Cowboys followed by a truly embarrassing offensive performance against the New England Patriots. A third straight loss occurred to the Kansas City Chiefs, but some confidence in Wilson arose as he had the best game of his professional career.
While the Jets snapped that losing streak against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, it was not because of Wilson. He completed 19-of-26 pass attempts, which was encouraging, but for only 199 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. He also fumbled twice but luckily both were recovered.
Can the Jets win games with Wilson as the starting quarterback? They proved that on Sunday they can, but it certainly isn’t an easy thing to accomplish. The Broncos are among the worst teams in the NFL and New York had some extra motivation for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
If the team is still looking for a quarterback change, WGN columnist Eli Ong has suggested them as a landing spot for Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears. Ong believes Chicago could look to cash in on Fields’ recent success, sell high and turn their focus to the loaded 2024 draft class, in which they could have two top picks.
“Quarterback play is king in today’s NFL, and Fields’ meteoric rise over the last two weeks puts the Bears in a precarious position, one where they are poised to trade, quite possibly, the first player in the history of their franchise that possesses multi-Pro Bowl-caliber talent at the quarterback position,” Ong wrote in a story published October 7.
“Chicago sports fans will surely bemoan this take, but it makes too much sense to not — at least — consider the possibilities.”
Not only would Bears fans not like this take, but Jets fans likely wouldn’t be too hot about it either. Fields has shown a lot more than Wilson has during their careers, as both were first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.
If he has truly turned a corner, he would instantly upgrade the Jets’ at quarterback. But, that is the same reason the Bears shouldn’t want to trade him as they are looking to build continuity the franchise has lacked for years.
The looming presence of Rodgers is also something to keep in mind. Turning to Fields, on a rookie contract showing promise, only to return him to the bench when Rodgers is healthy would destroy any progress made.
Given Wilson’s history with the Jets, it would be a lot easier to do that with him. But, if a player such as Fields were to be acquired, it would be because he is the unquestioned starter going forward.
