The New York Jets are rumored to be set on trading quarterback Zach Wilson this coming offseason, but who exactly would be interested in him at this point? Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated poses an intriguing potential destination: the New England Patriots. He even goes as far to suggest that the Jets and Patriots swap Wilson and Mac Jones.
“Now, the Jets and Patriots could be fundamentally against the concept of trading with each other, and I’d get that (not wanting to risk helping an archrival in a potentially significant way),” wrote Breer. “But on paper, both quarterbacks would get a fresh start and a chance to reset their careers in new environments with the expectations of their draft position gone.”
Both Wilson and Jones were drafted by their respective organizations in 2021, and both signal-callers have struggled.
While Jones got off to a solid start, making the Pro Bowl during his rookie campaign, he has regressed significantly since then and has now been benched in favor of Bailey Zappe.
Meanwhile, Wilson entered 2023 as Aaron Rodgers’ backup but was pressed back into starting duty after Rodgers tore his Achilles on New York’s first offensive series of Week 1.
Could a change of scenery be good for both Wilson and Jones? Possibly, but here is the thing: right now, the Pats would be more likely to roll with Zappe over Wilson, and that’s not even factoring that the Patriots will almost surely draft a quarterback this spring. So where would that leave Wilson?
As for the idea of Jones heading to the Jets, he could ultimately serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind Rodgers in 2024, so that wouldn’t be much of an issue. But it’s just hard to imagine New England having much interest in Wilson given the club’s current situation.
One thing is for sure, however: both the Jets and the Pats seem ready to move on from Wilson and Jones, respectively, and it’s probably a given that both signal-callers will be playing elsewhere next season.
Zach Wilson has thrown for 2,245 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games and 10 starts this year.
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