The New York Jets’ season has gone far from what was expected, what was hoped for at the season’s outset.
What Happened To The New York Jets’ Season?
Aaron Rodgers, after suffering a torn achilles on the fourth offensive play of the game, was set to make his borderline miraculous return to action on Christmas Eve, but at this point it seems like too little, too late.
The Jets are currently 4-8 with 5 games remaining. Whilst they are not mathematically eliminated, they are at present 3 games back from the Wild Card spots, and would realistically have to 5-5 to close out the season to have even the slightest chance of making the postseason.
Despite being pre-season Super Bowl contenders, having to play former 2nd overall pick, Zach Wilson, in lieu of Rodgers has lead to the team sputtering mightily on offense, and as such it seems like the Jets brass has already made a decision on the former first round pick, per Deseret News Sports.
Sources: Jets will trade Zach Wilson after the season
Story by @deseretdoug https://t.co/0XcfbIGFow— Deseret News Sports (@desnewssports) December 9, 2023
Why Are The New York Jets Planning To Trade Zach Wilson?
A lot of reasons, and you don’t necessarily need to be a rocket scientist to figure them out.
Zach Wilson, outside of an excellent performance in front of Taylor Swift, has been unable to perform to the level of an NFL quarterback. Whilst the defense has remained one of the league’s best, full of excellent, young talent on all 3 levels, the offense has been consistently bad.
The Jets rank bottom 5 in both passing yards and rushing yards, despite an on-paper excellent running back duo of Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook. Zach Wilson’s inability to consistently pass the ball to any of his receivers, save the immensely talented Garett Wilson Jr, has turned what was supposed to be powerful engine into a 20 year old Volkswagen, trying to get the last few miles in before it finally gives out.
And whilst one might assign blame to unimpressive former Broncos head coach, Nathaniel Hackett, it is unquestionable that Wilson himself has been awful. He has 1,944 yards, 6 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 10 games, good for the miserly passer rating of 73.8. For reference, this places Wilson right in between 4th round rookie, Aiden O’Connell (76.4) and in-over-his skis first overall pick, Bryce Young (73.1).
So it seems logical that, after 3 years worth of starts and really no visible improvement, there is nowhere to go except trade – or, more likely, release Wilson. Sadly, unlike Trey Lance, who has time to develop with the Cowboys after showing promise, its not clear that any team will be willing to give Wilson more time to learn if he is not able to clean up his game – and right now his playing does not even merit a bona fide backup position.
This week the Jets host the 7-5 Houston Texans, where Zach Wilson will return as starter after unsuccessful fill-in performances by Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian. Let’s see what he can do, and if he can show improvements enough to garner himself a backup job at another NFL franchise in years to come.
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