Jets give Zach Wilson permission to seek trade after his MISERABLE season in relief of injured Aaron Rodgers: Second pick of 2021 NFL Draft is owed $5 million in 2024
- Zach Wilson has been cleared by the New York Jets to seek an appeal
- READ MORE: Aaron Rodgers ‘served Jets de facto GM’ during terrible season
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Zach Wilson has been given permission by the New York Jets to seek a trade, general manager Hugh Douglas told reporters Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The embattled quarterback is coming off a tough season, replacing Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in September during his first series with the Jets.
The 24-year-old Wilson was the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, but despite his strong arm, the former BYU star has struggled with accuracy and decision-making as a professional.
Things were perhaps at their worst in 2023 as the Jets limped to a 7-10 finish amid extensive media criticism.
Not only did Wilson throw seven interceptions, compared to just eight touchdowns, but he also finished 30th in the NFL with a quarterback rating of just 30.6. By comparison, San Francisco’s Brock Purdy finished first at 72.8.
Fourth-year QB Zach Wilson has been cleared by the New York Jets to seek a trade
Wilson (right) thought he would back up Aaron Rodgers (left) in 2023, but injuries changed that
Rodgers’ season ended in the first quarter against the Bills when he hurt his ankle
For Wilson, the 2023 season was supposed to be a football rehabilitation of sorts.
After struggling through his first two NFL campaigns, the Jets quarterback entered training camp second on the depth chart behind Rodgers, the prized offseason acquisition and four-time MVP.
The expectations Wilson faced as a former second overall pick should have diminished, allowing him to study under a former Super Bowl winner before eventually resuming his role as a Jets starter in years to come.
Instead, Wilson’s third season was arguably his worst, as the Draper, Utah native was briefly relegated to third on the depth chart.
But while it’s easy to blame Rodgers’ injury over the past three months, Wilson’s on-field problems started long before the 39-year-old went down in the Jets’ season opener. The following is Mail Sport’s look back at Wilson coach Robert Saleh’s turbulent depth chart: