NY Jets release CB Quincy Wilson after trading draft pick for him

The NY Jets have released cornerback Quincy Wilson after trading for him in the offseason.

The NY Jets took a flier on former second-round pick Quincy Wilson when they sent a sixth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Some fliers pan out. Others do not. Wilson did not.

The Jets announced on Friday that they had officially released Wilson after the former Colts cornerback played in just three games with the team.

After a somewhat strong training camp, the belief was that Wilson could compete for one of the Jets’ starting cornerback jobs. He was limited to special teams in Week 1, but finally got his chance in the starting lineup in Week 2.

Wilson played 25 defensive snaps earning the start, but left midway through the game with a concussion. That injury would keep him out for the next couple of weeks and once he finally returned in Week 5, he was once again relegated to a backup role.

The former Florida star played just six special-teams snaps before finding himself as a healthy inactive in each of the last three weeks.

There were rumors that the Jets were looking to trade Wilson in the days and weeks leading up to the trade deadline, but evidently, no offers materialized. And after failing to trade him, they simply opted to cut ties.

It’s safe to say that the NY Jets’ trade for Quincy Wilson didn’t work out.

The Jets sent the 211th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to the Colts in exchange for Wilson. Indianapolis would end up using that selection on a cornerback of their own — UMass defensive back Isaiah Rodgers.

Rodgers has only played 36 defensive snaps this year — still more than Wilson — but he’s taken over as the team’s regular kick returner in recent weeks. Back in Week 5, he returned a 101 kick to the house for his first career touchdown.

He hasn’t had a huge impact, but he’s definitely done more than Wilson did with the Jets.

It was a worthy gamble given Wilson’s physical traits and his draft pedigree. And in all honesty, it’s surprising the Jets never gave him more of a chance after a standout summer and some solid play in Week 2.

His lack of special-teams skills probably cost him his roster spot, but given the team’s struggles at the cornerback position, it is a little surprising that the Jets never gave Wilson another shot in the starting lineup.

Nonetheless, his Jets’ career ends not with a bang, but with a whimper. A mid-season release following a failed shop attempt at the trade deadline.