The New York Jets were innocent bystanders in the Justin Fields trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but ultimately, they lost on this transaction.
Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional sixth-round pick Saturday. That pick turns into a fourth-rounder if Fields starts over 51% of the Steelers’ regular season. The New York Jets stood on the sidelines for this move, but they didn’t realize they lost heavily because of this trade.
NFL News reviewed the winners and losers from the Justin Fields trade. One loser listed was the Jets. “If the Bears got only a conditional sixth-round pick for Fields, who played reasonably well last season, what can the Jets hope to get in a trade for Zach Wilson, whom they want to trade with even fewer backup jobs available?”
New York Jets Need to Move Zach Wilson
Zach Wilson was a part of the same draft class as Justin Fields. His contract is identical, and his fall from grace was more public than Justin’s. With the addition of Aaron Rodgers to the Jets, conversations arose about what to do with Zach. Those conversations are even louder after watching him play after Rodgers went down to injury.
One has to wonder what the Jets can get in return if they try to trade Zach Wilson. Most would assume that if Fields fetched a conditional sixth, then Wilson would go for a sixth—or seventh-round pick without any stipulations for improvements.
The deadline to decide on a fifth-year option for Zach Wilson is May 2nd. A move could be made before that time, and then the next team can decide whether or not to take on the impending $23 million Wilson would receive for the 2025 season.
Rodgers has been outspoken about his support of Wilson’s growth as an NFL quarterback. He may end up in the ears of ownership on keeping Wilson around as a backup for the Jets. Jets fans are hopeful that Zach Wilson’s snaps will be limited for the Jets in the future.
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