NY Jets 'should consider' trading Zach Wilson this summer

The NY Jets seemingly admitted that they were, for all intents and purposes, moving on from Zach Wilson this offseason when they went out and traded for his replacement.

While Wilson is still on the roster and projected to be the team's backup quarterback, his Jets career is hanging by a thread. There's no guarantee he ever plays another game for the team that drafted him second overall just two years ago.

That's why Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox identified Wilson as one player the Jets "should consider trading" before the 2023 season. Knox believes Wilson could be a viable trade candidate.

The former No. 2 overall pick is coming off a disastrous 2022 season that saw him finish with just six touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing under 55 percent of his passes in nine starts.

The idea makes sense in theory, but there are obstacles to consider.

Why trading Zach Wilson wouldn't be easy for the NY Jets

For starters, the Jets would need to find a taker. It takes two to coordinate an NFL trade. Wilson's value has plummeted after two disappointing seasons, and while some team might see him as a worthy redemption project, the finances might be an issue.

Wilson is due over $9.5 million in 2023 and another $11.2 million in 2024. Trading him would incur a dead cap penalty of $5.73 million in each of the next two seasons. That's a significant amount of dead cap for the Jets to take on.

The move would save the Jets a little under $4 million in cap space this season, but a near-$6 million dead cap charge in 2024 isn't ideal. The Jets would also need to find a team willing to take on Wilson's salary.

Even if some team believes they might be able to redeem Wilson, it's unlikely they'd be willing to give up much, given his performance and contract. Trading him isn't an easy task.

That's not to mention the lack of depth behind Wilson. Tim Boyle and Chris Streveler are the only other backup quarterbacks on the roster, and while the Jets could still sign another veteran, they don't seem eager to go that route.

The Jets have publicly expressed that they still believe Wilson can reach his potential in New York. Perhaps they are still willing to attempt to develop him as he sits and learns behind Aaron Rodgers.

That said, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Jets are very likely to decline Wilson's fifth-year option next offseason. He would be a free agent after the 2024 season. Time isn't on his side.

Zach Wilson's future with the Jets has never been murkier, but it seems very unlikely that they trade him this summer. There are just too many obstacles to make it worthwhile.