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To little surprise, the Zach Wilson era in New York is officially drawing to a close this offseason.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Jets GM Joe Douglas told reporters that Wilson — the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft — received permission from the team to seek a trade.
There’s no denying the quarterback never lived up to his draft position throughout his three tumultuous seasons with the Jets, during which he completed 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.
Nonetheless, with a better coaching staff and supporting cast around him, perhaps Wilson could be the next failed draft pick to revitalize his career with another team.
Here are three teams that could be a fit for the 24-year-old should the Jets be able to trade him.
Las Vegas Raiders
Despite showing flashes as a rookie, 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell probably isn’t the long-term answer at quarterback for the Raiders. However, the team isn’t in an ideal position to upgrade at the position this offseason.
Of course, veterans such as Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield will be available in free agency, but the former is coming off a significant Achilles injury, whereas the latter might not leave Tampa Bay. Chicago’s Justin Fields might seem like an intriguing option to trade for, but if he impresses in 2024, he’ll likely seek a lucrative deal next offseason, which could be risky to give him.
Additionally, Las Vegas holds the 13th overall pick in April’s draft, so for it to select a top quarterback prospect, it would have to pay a massive trade haul to secure one.
For these reasons, it would make sense to part with a late-round draft pick to acquire Wilson to compete with O’Connell for the starting job. Wilson likely wouldn’t be Las Vegas’ Week 1 starter, but O’Connell could be on one of the shortest leashes in the NFL if he struggles.
Los Angeles Rams
If anyone can help get Wilson’s career back on track, it’s Rams HC Sean McVay, who helped Mayfield raise his stock before last offseason’s free-agency period.
Los Angeles faces considerable uncertainty regarding its backup quarterback situation. There’s no telling if Carson Wentz, the second pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, will return for another stint with the Rams, and it’s unclear whether Stetson Bennett will play in the NFL. Bennett, a two-time national champion at Georgia, was the No. 128 overall pick in last year’s draft but was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list in September and inactive for every game this past season.
Considering starting QB Matthew Stafford has his share of health risks and is under contract through his age-38 season, it could be worth it for Los Angeles to stash Wilson and see if he could be Stafford’s eventual successor.
Philadelphia Eagles
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Eagles unsuccessfully attempted to move up to acquire the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Wilson. Philadelphia is obviously fortunate that it didn’t land Wilson, as it may have meant that eventual two-time Pro Bowler Jalen Hurts would never have received an opportunity to be the team’s starter.
Even so, given that backup QB Marcus Mariota is set to be a free agent, there’s hardly any risk for Eagles GM Howie Roseman to trade for Wilson. In fact, there could be more reasons for Philadelphia to acquire Wilson than not. After all, the BYU product delivered a turnover-free performance to hand Philadelphia its first loss of 2023 in a matchup in which New York’s offensive game plan reportedly was leaked.
With the Eagles already boasting one of the NFL’s better collections of offensive talent and now having an improved play-caller in OC Kellen Moore, Wilson could develop into a serviceable backup in Philadelphia.
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