NY Jets QB Zach Wilson expected to be the primary backup

Zach Wilson may have lost his job as the starting quarterback of the NY Jets, but his team is still relying on him to play an important role as Aaron Rodgers' primary backup in 2023. At least, that's the assumption.

The Jets signed veteran, and one of Rodgers' closest friends, Tim Boyle to compete with Wilson for the backup job this summer, but all indications point to the former second-overall pick being the odds-on favorite to win the job.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported this week that the Jets brought Boyle in to be their third string. "He’s a third-string NFL quarterback, which is what he’ll be for the Jets," Rosenblatt insisted.

There may be a "competition" this summer, but the Jets clearly want and expect Wilson to be the team's primary backup come Week 1. Boyle is simply around because he's a veteran body who knows the system.

The NY Jets could be playing a dangerous game with Zach Wilson as their backup

The Jets, of course, made one of the most high-profile moves of the entire offseason when they traded for four-time MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers back in April.

Much of the Jets' hopes and aspirations for the coming season rest on the shoulders of the 10-time Pro Bowler. The Jets are hoping that Rodgers can not only stay healthy but bounce back following a disappointing, partially injury-riddled 2022 campaign.

If Rodgers is forced to miss any time at all, it's likely that Wilson will be tasked with keeping the Jets' season hopes afloat. That's a very dangerous wager on the part of the Jets' front office, given what we've seen from Wilson to this point.

There's no way around it — Wilson has statistically been one of the worst quarterbacks in modern NFL history. The issue is that his "competition," Boyle, hasn't really been any better.

If Rodgers misses, say, 2-4 games, the Jets will be relying on Wilson to save their season until Rodgers returns. That's a very difficult position to put Wilson in, but it's the situation the Jets have created for themselves.

The Jets had the opportunity — and still do — to sign a capable veteran quarterback this offseason. Even in late June, players like Nick Foles, Teddy Bridgewater, and Chase Daniel could be had for relatively cheap. They're all still free agents and would be sizable upgrades over the Wilson/Boyle duo.

Unfortunately, barring injury, the Jets seem very comfortable with their quarterback situation. Rodgers will be the starter, Wilson his primary backup, and Boyle the team's emergency third-string.

The Jets better hope that Rodgers isn't forced to miss any time this season because if he is, their hopes will rest on Zach Wilson. That's a gamble they shouldn't want to take.