5 teams that could still solve the NY Jets' Zach Wilson problem

The NY Jets have a Zach Wilson problem. The two sides have mutually agreed to part ways this offseason, allowing the former No. 2 overall pick to pursue new opportunities while also allowing the Jets to move forward with a new-look quarterback room.

There's one obstacle, however. No one wants to trade for Wilson — at least that's the indication based on reports regarding his trade market. Wilson's contract, combined with his abysmal play, has led many NFL teams to pursue other young QBs as potential backup options.

Wilson is little more than a developmental QB3 at this stage and an expensive one at that. It's possible the Jets might have to simply release Wilson if they are unable to find a trade partner.

But while many of the league's backup spots have been filled, there are still a few teams that make sense as logical landing spots for the BYU product. Here are five teams that could still trade for Wilson if the Jets are lucky.

5. The NY Jets could trade Zach Wilson to the Rams

This one all depends on how fractured Wilson's relationship is with former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. LaFleur left the Jets last offseason to pursue the same job with the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay, and he's done well to rehabilitate his image over the last year.

Wilson was one of the biggest reasons LaFleur was let go by the Jets, as the two reportedly never saw eye to eye. If both parties are willing to put that aside, however, the Rams are an ideal landing spot in a trade.

Los Angeles has no viable backup quarterback on its roster, with only Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn behind Matthew Stafford. Neither has taken a snap at the NFL level.

McVay and LaFleur run a very similar offense to the one Wilson is familiar with, and there's a legitimate route for playing time if he wins the backup job. If Wilson and LaFleur can put their differences aside, the Rams make a ton of sense.

4. The NY Jets could trade Zach Wilson to the Broncos

The Denver Broncos probably have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL at the moment. The team is paying Russell Wilson $53 million to not be on their roster in 2024, meaning that they're unlikely to make any major moves.

As of now, the plan seems to be to roll with Jarrett Stidham and a rookie in the draft, but it wouldn't be the worst idea to consider adding Wilson to that QB room.

Wilson arguably has more upside than Stidham and could give the Broncos a relatively low-cost flier option to develop in the short term. It should be noted that Denver reportedly inquired about Justin Fields before he was eventually traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Perhaps, much like most of these proposals, this is a situation where the Jets are forced to eat some of Wilson's salary or even include a late-round draft pick to facilitate a trade. Either way, the Broncos would be an excellent landing spot.

3. The NY Jets could trade Zach Wilson to the Packers

This would be a fun twist, wouldn't it? The Jets and Packers already agreed to one quarterback trade a year ago — what if they return to trade talks this offseason to discuss sending a QB to Green Bay?

It makes sense on paper. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur runs a very similar offense to the one his brother ran with the Jets, and as long as there are no family feuds to worry about, he should be a seamless fit.

The Packers also don't have a legitimate backup quarterback on their roster, with 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford serving as Jordan Love's primary QB2 at the time of writing.

Wilson would have an opportunity to earn the backup quarterback job in an offense he fits well in. Provided there's no hold-up with LaFleur, history could repeat itself with another Jets/Packers QB trade this offseason.

2. The NY Jets could trade Zach Wilson to the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason, as the USC product left to potentially compete for the starting job in Minnesota.

Just imagine if Darnold was replaced for the second time in his career by Wilson, only this time it would be in a backup role. The story writes itself.

Veteran journeyman Brandon Allen is the only quarterback currently on the 49ers' roster aside from starter Brock Purdy. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was famously smitten with Wilson in the pre-draft process back in 2021.

Shanahan might see Wilson as a reclamation project, especially given how high he was on the former BYU star a few years ago. Wilson's potential fit in the 49ers' offense makes this one a no-brainer if the compensation is right.

1. The NY Jets could trade Zach Wilson to the Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has garnered a reputation as somewhat of a quarterback guru over the years. He's been known to prefer project quarterbacks over finished products, as evidenced by the team's decision to draft Patrick Mahomes back in 2018.

Perhaps Reid would be willing to take a chance on Wilson's talent and attempt to develop him behind Mahomes. Perhaps most notably, Reid himself is an alumnus of BYU, giving him a personal connection to Wilson as well.

The Chiefs don't have a viable backup quarterback option on their roster. Blaine Gabbert is still a free agent, and the likes of Chris Oladokun and Ian Book have combined to appear in one NFL game.

Wilson's BYU ties to Reid and the latter's propensity for developmental QB projects give this connection plenty of legs. The Chiefs feel like a very feasible destination for Wilson whether he's traded or ultimately released.