Still Worth $55Million Robert Saleh Insist Zach Wilson Must Go After An Excellent Performance Against Texans.
Chalk up another quarterback who got kicked to the curb by the New York Jets.
Sources close to the situation confirmed to the Deseret News that the Jets have told Zach Wilson he will be traded after the season.
Wilson and coach Robert Saleh agreed to a mutual parting following the benching — again — of Wilson and before the team decided to return him to the starting position Sunday.
The team, beset by news leaks that roiled Aaron Rodgers, New York media and the fanbase this past week, has not commented on the future of the former BYU star and No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft, other than to announce he will return to the field Sunday.
Wilson became the Jets’ starting quarterback when Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon four plays into the season opener. Wilson started the next nine games and then was benched — his third benching in 13 months.
The Jets were 4-6 at the time and averaging just 14 points per game. Saleh met with Wilson after the benching, and they agreed to part ways after the season,
Wilson has one year left on his contract worth a guaranteed $5.5 million. Wilson is still only 24 years old, and he possesses a rocket arm and good speed and athleticism.
If the Jets can’t find a team that will pick up all of Wilson’s salary, they will be on the hook for the shortfall.
Wilson failed to make it work in 31 starts (so far) for the Jets, but at least he has plenty of company.
The Jets are a quarterback graveyard (which is why I wrote an open letter to the Jets shortly before the 2021 draft, begging them not to draft Wilson).
In 2021, Wilson became the 11th quarterback the Jets drafted in 15 years, including six in the first two rounds. Before Wilson’s arrival, the Jets had switched quarterbacks 12 times the previous five seasons, using draft picks, free agents and journeymen.
The Jets and the media will blame Wilson for his failings, and he certainly has had shortcomings.
His career stats to date: a 56.6 completion rate, 5,966 yards, 21 touchdowns, 25 interceptions, 6.3 yards per attempt and 71.9 passer rating.
Notwithstanding, at what point do the Jets, given their long, miserable history with quarterbacks, look in the mirror and realize they are the common denominator for all those failed quarterbacks?