5 teams that could trade for NY Jets QB Zach Wilson

The NY Jets are going to trade Zach Wilson this offseason. It's no longer a matter of if but a matter of when. The relationship between Wilson and the Jets has soured to the point of no return.

The Jets reportedly told Wilson that he would be traded in the offseason after he was benched for Tim Boyle. While Wilson did eventually play again for the Jets last season, it became abundantly clear that his time in New York was coming to an end.

In reality, both sides are in need of a fresh start. Wilson should be given the opportunity to compete for a backup job with a new team, and the Jets will add a more experienced and competent backup of their own.

But which teams might consider trading for Wilson? What's the best landing spot for the former No. 2 overall pick? Let's take a look at five teams that could trade for Wilson this offseason.

5. The NY Jets could trade Zach Wilson to the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings managed to overachieve in 2023, staying alive in the playoff race until late in the season despite being forced to start four different quarterbacks following Kirk Cousins' torn Achilles.

Cousins is slated to be a free agent in the offseason, and even though there's mutual interest in a return, they might still be looking for a backup. Wilson would make a ton of sense as a target.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell comes from the Shanahan coaching tree and spent time under Sean McVay in a very similar system in Los Angeles. That would make the transition for Wilson much easier.

Wilson could compete with 2023 fifth-round pick Jaren Hall for the primary QB2 job in Minnesota while playing in a similar offensive system to the one he's familiar with.

4. The NY Jets could trade Zach Wilson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered this past summer with a quarterback battle between former second-round pick Kyle Trask and the newly-signed Baker Mayfield. Mayfield would win the starting job en route to what was likely the best season of his NFL career.

The former No. 1 overall pick has played his way into a potential long-term starting job with the organization and will almost certainly be back in 2024. That doesn't mean the Bucs can't add another piece to their QB room, however.

The Bucs run a similar Shanahan-inspired wide zone offensive scheme under offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who has done an excellent job reeling in Mayfield this season. Perhaps he could do the same with Wilson.

Wilson could compete with Trask for the backup quarterback job and give Canales another reclamation project to take on. Following his success revitalizing Mayfield's career this season, Wilson could be his next project.

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

In what would be one of the funniest and most ironic twists of the NFL offseason, the Jets could send Zach Wilson to the very team they acquired his replacement from a year ago. On paper, it makes a ton of sense, too.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is not only best friends with Robert Saleh, but the two come from the same coaching tree. LaFleur's offense is quite similar to the one his brother, Mike, ran in New York, and the same is true for the offense Nathaniel Hackett runs.

The Packers could also use another quarterback on their roster, with fifth-round rookie Sean Clifford serving as the lone backup behind Jordan Love this season.

The Jets and Packers already worked out a trade for one quarterback last offseason. Why not make it two years in a row?

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

If there's any head coach in the NFL who could potentially fix Zach Wilson and salvage his career, it might just be Kyle Shanahan. The San Francisco 49ers head coach has worked wonders with Brock Purdy and carried Jimmy Garoppolo to a Super Bowl. Could Wilson be his next project?

Much like many of the other teams on this list, Wilson should be familiar with many of the concepts in the 49ers' offense. His work with Mike LaFleur and even Nathaniel Hackett would prove valuable.

As for the 49ers, Sam Darnold is slated to be a free agent at the end of the season, meaning that the team might be looking for a new backup quarterback. Perhaps Wilson can replace Darnold for the second time in his career.

The Jets and 49ers have a strong working relationship, given Saleh's ties to the organization. They make a ton of sense as a potential landing spot for Wilson in a trade.

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

The plan for Zach Wilson in 2023 was to have him sit and learn behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Aaron Rodgers. That, of course, didn't exactly work out, but perhaps a similar plan can be enacted next season.

The Kansas City Chiefs are an obvious landing spot for Wilson this offseason. Chiefs head coach Any Reid is a BYU alumnus with strong ties to the school and the BYU football program. That alone means they might be interested.

The Chiefs also don't really have a high-end backup quarterback behind Patrick Mahomes. Veteran journeyman Blaine Gabbert filled that role in 2023, but he'll be a free agent at the end of the season, and it never hurts to have a young, developmental backup QB on the roster.

Wilson can compete for the primary backup job in Kansas City and learn behind the best quarterback in the NFL today. Having a BYU alum and one of the best offensive minds in the sport develop him is the cherry on top.