Zach Wilson bust may have contributed to key NY Jets front office change

The NY Jets made the decision to part ways with assistant general manager Rex Hogan this offseason, and the team's decision to draft Zach Wilson may have been a factor.

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported this past weekend that Hogan was a "strong advocate" for Wilson throughout the draft process. An executive from another NFL team theorized that Hogan's support of Wilson was one of the primary reasons he was let go.

Cimini notes that Hogan "developed scouting connections at BYU" during his time as the director of football operations at the University of Utah. Those connections may have ultimately led the Jets to select Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick.

Of course, Hogan wasn't the only decision-maker who pushed for Wilson, and there are a host of reasons he and the Jets ultimately decided to part ways. Still, it's definitely a blemish on his resume that the organization couldn't overlook.

Zach Wilson decision may have led the NY Jets to part ways with Rex Hogan

Wilson was widely seen as one of the top prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Following a standout final season at BYU, Wilson shot up draft boards and was the consensus QB2 in his draft. Unfortunately, the Jets and many others got this one wrong.

Wilson has been a colossal disappointment in the NFL. The Utah native has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in his career, has completed only 57 percent of his passes, and is averaging an abysmal 6.3 yards per attempt through three seasons.

The Jets are expected to trade Wilson this offseason, although reports suggest they likely won't get anything more than a sixth or seventh-round pick in return. At this point, Wilson is just hoping to salvage something from his NFL career.

Hogan rejoined the Jets in 2019 after serving as the team's senior director of college scouting in a prior stint. He's been Joe Douglas' right-hand man since he was hired, but the Jets are clearly looking to go in a different direction.

Combine Hogan's departure with the loss of the Jets director of player personnel, Chad Alexander, and the organization will have a new-look front office in 2024. Douglas has lost his two most trusted assistants.

The Zach Wilson decision may ultimately prove to be the downfall of the entire current Jets regime. Hogan might just be the temporary fall guy.