Trade value for Zach Wilson? “A two week stay at a Best Western”

[Matt39]

Oh my

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets are the only team in the common-draft era (since 1967) to draft two quarterbacks with top-three picks in a three-year span -- Sam Darnold in 2018, Zach Wilson in 2021.

Darnold, on his third team, is preparing for Super Bowl LVIII as the San Francisco 49ers' backup. Wilson is preparing for a change of address.

Repeating the pattern, the Jets are expected to trade Wilson in the coming weeks as they look to upgrade the QB2 position behind Aaron Rodgers. There's a "high probability" of that happening, general manager Joe Douglas said recently, triggering two questions:

Who's interested? What might he fetch in a trade?

ESPN reached out to three personnel executives, one scout and two assistant coaches from other teams to gauge Wilson's value. The consensus is Wilson could bring back a sixth- or seventh-round pick (or perhaps a swap of middle-round picks) from a team willing to take a chance on him as a backup due to his draft pedigree.

"Perhaps a team out there felt stronger about him pre-draft, and that could influence how they value him," one personnel executive said.

"(Otherwise), maybe they could ask for something on Day 3 -- a mid-Day 3" -- meaning a pick in the fifth/sixth-round range. The scout said the Jets could get a seventh-round pick "if they're lucky." One of the assistant coaches said, "I'd give up a two-week stay at a Best Western. I'm not a fan."

Another personnel executive suggested the Jets seek a 2025 conditional pick, based on playing time -- i.e. a fourth rounder if Wilson plays 50% of the offensive snaps. This protects them if he gets on the field and produces next season. The Jets "will never get the value they want" in a straight-up trade, the executive said.

It would be highly unusual--- and embarrassing -- if the Jets can't find a trading partner and simply release him. The last top-10 quarterback to get cut by the team that drafted him was Robert Griffin III, selected No. 2 overall in 2012 by Washington and released after four years.

Since then, the only other first-round quarterbacks to be cut by their original team were Johnny Manziel (Cleveland Browns, 22nd pick, in 2014), Paxton Lynch (Denver Broncos, 26th, 2016) and Dwayne Haskins (Washington Commanders, 15th, 2019).

Because of the demand for the position, there's usually interest in depreciated quarterbacks. They were high picks because of top-shelf traits, and some coaches like the challenge of reclamation projects.

"The only trade value for him is his arm talent, meaning he can make all the throws," the other assistant coach said of Wilson. "But the biggest thing, he has to become more mature and be consistent in everything, especially his decision making. There were flashes this year, but obviously not enough."

Replacing the injured Rodgers, Wilson went 4-7 as a starter, with eight touchdown passes, seven interceptions, 2,271 yards and a 60.1% completion rate. His Total QBR (30.6) ranked 30th out of 30 qualified passers. Over the last three seasons, he's 35th out of 36 in Total QBR, ahead of the Carolina Panthers' Bryce Young (33.3), who was a rookie in 2023.

The player drafted one spot after Wilson, quarterback Trey Lance, was traded last August for a 2024 fourth-round pick, with the 49ers sending him to the Dallas Cowboys. Unlike Wilson, who struggled consistently over three years, Lance started four games for the 49ers, allowing him to maintain at least a fraction of his value. The 49ers didn't get anything close to their original investment -- it cost them three first rounders to trade up -- but they were able to salvage something respectable because Lance wasn't a complete washout.

Typically, the value for a backup quarterback is a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Consider some of the trades in recent years:

• Nick Mullens, from the Las Vegas Raiders to Minnesota Vikings for a conditional seventh

• Jarrett Stidham, from the New England Patriots to the Raiders for a sixth

• Case Keenum, from the Browns to the Buffalo Bills for a seventh

• Joe Flacco, from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Jets for a conditional sixth

• Gardner Minshew, from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Eagles for a conditional sixth

None of them were high draft picks. When a top pick flames out, his team usually can recoup some value. For instance: Carson Wentz was traded twice, from the Eagles to the Indianapolis Colts to the Commanders, each time fetching a Day 2 draft pick.

When the Jets dealt Darnold to the Panthers in 2021, they received three picks, including a second rounder, but he went there as the starting quarterback. No team views Wilson in that light. His salary also could be an issue for some teams. He's due to make a guaranteed $5.45 million, including a roster bonus, in the final year of his rookie contract. It could become a negotiating point in any trade talks.

Trades can't become official until March 13, the start of the league year, but agreements can be reached now. Quarterbacks have been dealt before the Super Bowl (see: Matthew Stafford and Alex Smith). Chances are, Wilson won't find a landing spot until the top end of the quarterback market is settled in March.

Potential destination?

Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, who met Wilson years ago through their BYU connections and became an unofficial advisor during the draft process, hopes Wilson can land with an innovative coach who can maximize his potential. The ideal spot, Young said, is the Los Angeles Rams.

"Go with Sean McVay, follow (Matthew) Stafford and just sit there and watch the magic, and see if you can pick it up," Young said on the Adam Schefter Podcast. "If you can, you can be one of the best because you have the talent for it.

In Los Angeles, Wilson would be reunited with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who held the same position with the Jets in 2021 and 2022.

That relationship didn't produce results on the field, but McVay runs the show in LA.

Young also mentioned the 49ers, Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Eagles and Baltimore Ravens as quarterback-friendly offenses suited for Wilson. Based on current depth charts, the Rams, Vikings and Eagles might make the most sense because they could be in the QB2 market. Schematically, he's already familiar with the Rams and Vikings systems, both of which employ the Shanahan version of the West Coast offense.

"He needs to get to one of those spots," Young said, referring to the eight teams. "He needs to join forces. If you're going to get anything out of Zach Wilson in the future, he needs to get away from these places that aren't quarterback-friendly."

[JustInFudge]

Zach Wilson is the biggest bust of my life time.

And Steve Young advocating for him to join the Rams, you know the team w/ the OC who was mean to him while he was here, is my favorite take of all time.  

[Matt39]

2 minutes ago, JustInFudge said:

Zach Wilson is the biggest bust of my life time.

And Steve Young advocating for him to join the Rams, you know the team w/ the OC who was mean to him while he was here, is my favorite take of all time.  

He needs to get to a playoff contender with a hall of fame coaching staff in a warm climate. 

[doitny]

6 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

One of the assistant coaches said, "I'd give up a two-week stay at a Best Western. I'm not a fan."

LMFAO

[doitny]

a 6th or a 7th is about right. and to think some of you thought 2nd or 3rd..lol

[SomebodytoAnybody47]

I can't wait for the day they just move on already. Idc what it's for or just being cut, just be done with already.

 

[doitny]

4 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

He needs to get to a playoff contender with a hall of fame coaching staff in a warm climate. 

but is that the best for him? then he doesnt believe in himself if he goes and hides on a really good team.

if he went to the Panthers theres a good chance Young struggles and he could be starting by mid season. which i though every player wants to do. 

[Trotter]

7 minutes ago, SomebodytoAnybody47 said:

I can't wait for the day they just move on already. Idc what it's for or just being cut, just be done with already.

 

perfect right there

Just be done

[Matt39]

Just now, Trotter said:

perfect right there

Just be done

I’m afraid they will not release him. There are strings attached here, which wasn’t the case with Manziel and Lynch. The RG3 fallout was bad for both sides.

[GreenFish]

I could see him going for a 5th.

I previously thought a 4th.

Basically, something in day 3 at best.

[Beerfish]

Joe Douglas has lost his cache as  shrewd GM after the Rodgers debacle and is now though of around the league as a chump to be taken advantage of.  He also likes to devalue trades by these pick for pick swaps, it will be a 5th rounder for Zach and a 6th rounder or something like that.

[JoeNamathsFurCoat]

I’ll take Fields to backup AR if Chicago doesn’t want him any more.

 

[bonkertons]

I don't think anyone deep down really cares about what we get for him, they just want him gone.  Any compensation will be a bonus.  If it's a 2025 7th, so be it.  Just move on.

[JoeNamathsFurCoat]

45 minutes ago, JustInFudge said:

Zach Wilson is the biggest bust of my life time.

And Steve Young advocating for him to join the Rams, you know the team w/ the OC who was mean to him while he was here, is my favorite take of all time.  

GW’s production and efficiency fell off this year, after having won offensive rookie of the year under LaFleur.

I said it at the time:  the OC was scapegoated and sacrificed at the altar of ZW at the behest of Joe Douglas to protect the GM’s pathetic hopes of salvaging his bust draft choice.

LaFleur goes to the Rams and Nacua sets the NFL all-time rookie receiving record and plays like a freaking beast in his 1 playoff chance.

Once again, the Jets chose poorly.

They should have traded ZW and kept LaFleur.

[The Crusher]

47 minutes ago, JustInFudge said:

Zach Wilson is the biggest bust of my life time.

And Steve Young advocating for him to join the Rams, you know the team w/ the OC who was mean to him while he was here, is my favorite take of all time.  

Even my Herpes was less persistent 

 

-  M. LaFleur 

 

 

[extmenace]

4 minutes ago, bonkertons said:

I don't think anyone deep down really cares about what we get for him, they just want him gone.  Any compensation will be a bonus.  If it's a 2025 7th, so be it.  Just move on.

Someone will have interest in him as a back up / project qb. His physical tools are there. Maybe someone like Mcvay can unlock the mental issues. Someone will be intrigued enough to  trade a 6 or 7 just to avoid him being a free agent. 

[Jetsfan80]

47 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

He needs to get to a playoff contender with a hall of fame coaching staff in a warm climate. 

Preferably as close to Utah as possible.  

[Jetsfan80]

45 minutes ago, doitny said:

a 6th or a 7th is about right. and to think some of you thought 2nd or 3rd..lol

Those same people will be blaming JD for not getting more for him.

Just a couple days ago @TuscanyTile2 suggested that teams might get into a “bidding war” over him.  Lmao.

[extmenace]

5 minutes ago, JoeNamathsFurCoat said:

GW’s production and efficiency fell off this year, after having won offensive rookie of the year under LaFleur.

I said it at the time:  the OC was scapegoated and sacrificed at the altar of ZW at the behest of Joe Douglas to protect the GM’s pathetic hopes of salvaging his bust draft choice.

LaFleur goes to the Rams and Nacua sets the NFL all-time rookie receiving record and plays like a freaking beast in his 1 playoff chance.

Once again, the Jets chose poorly.

They should have traded ZW and kept LaFleur.

Mcvay runs that offense. Mlf is basically an assistant there. I do agree with you though that mlf never got a fair shake. When he had anyone but Zach, we saw the offense make leaps and show flashes of being a legit nfl offense.

[Jetsfan80]

1 minute ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Those same people will be blaming JD for not getting more for him.

See?  Hasn’t even happened yet and already it’s starting, lol:

 

21 minutes ago, Beerfish said:

Joe Douglas has lost his cache as  shrewd GM after the Rodgers debacle and is now though of around the league as a chump to be taken advantage of.  He also likes to devalue trades by these pick for pick swaps, it will be a 5th rounder for Zach and a 6th rounder or something like that.

 

[y2k8]

54 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

 

It would be highly unusual--- and embarrassing -- if the Jets can't find a trading partner and simply release him. 

Umm no on both accounts.

We are well past the point of embarrassment with Zach Wilson as the #2 pick and all the opportunity cost it squandered. 

And it would not be highly unusual to get trade value for a guy that is in the pantheon of all-time NFL busts.

 

[Jetsfan80]

9 minutes ago, extmenace said:

Someone will have interest in him as a back up / project qb. His physical tools are there.

I’m convinced that if some of you were Niners fans you’d advocate they trade away Brock Purdy for Zach Wilson based on “physical tools”.

It’s just so f**king stupid at this point.  his only “plus” physical tool is his arm strength, which happens to be arguably the least important attribute of a QB, especially if he doesn’t have any of the other stuff.

Zach Wilson is a QB3 and will be treated as such by the open market.  

[bonkertons]

5 minutes ago, extmenace said:

Someone will have interest in him as a back up / project qb. His physical tools are there. Maybe someone like Mcvay can unlock the mental issues. Someone will be intrigued enough to  trade a 6 or 7 just to avoid him being a free agent. 

That's the team that makes the most sense to me.  Bring him in along with a cheap vet or a mid-round QB pick, let them compete against one another for that #2 spot, and then just evaluate his progression throughout the year.  If he looks like he's turned a corner, extend him and plan for him to take over for Stafford once he's done.  If he doesn't, just let him walk.  If the cost is a 6th or 7th it's pretty low risk.

[Claymation]

14 minutes ago, JoeNamathsFurCoat said:

GW’s production and efficiency fell off this year, after having won offensive rookie of the year under LaFleur.

I said it at the time:  the OC was scapegoated and sacrificed at the altar of ZW at the behest of Joe Douglas to protect the GM’s pathetic hopes of salvaging his bust draft choice.

LaFleur goes to the Rams and Nacua sets the NFL all-time rookie receiving record and plays like a freaking beast in his 1 playoff chance.

Once again, the Jets chose poorly.

They should have traded ZW and kept LaFleur.

GW was productive this year. In spite of having Trevor, Tim and Zach delivering the ball.

The Rams' offense is McVay's and not LaFleur's.

[slimjasi]

26 minutes ago, JoeNamathsFurCoat said:

I’ll take Fields to backup AR if Chicago doesn’t want him any more.

 

Seems unrealistic since he'll likely get the opportunity to compete for a starting job somewhere.

Whomever we bring in will have the distinctive "veteran backup" label

[extmenace]

3 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

I’m convinced that if some of you were Niners fans you’d advocate they trade away Brock Purdy for Zach Wilson based on “physical tools”.

It’s just so f**king stupid at this point.  his only “plus” physical tool is his arm strength, which happens to be arguably the least important attribute of a QB, especially if he doesn’t have any of the other stuff.

Zach Wilson is a QB3 and will be treated as such by the open market.  

You’re gonna say he’s not athletic? While his pocket presence needs significant work, he does have the ability to create more time when the play starts breaking down. His accuracy, decision making, and his ability to read a defense are his issues. All mental issues. Physically, he’s what you would want in today’s nfl…which is why I called him a project. He is nowhere close to an nfl starting qb. 

[slimjasi]

2 minutes ago, extmenace said:

You’re gonna say he’s not athletic? While his pocket presence needs significant work, he does have the ability to create more time when the play starts breaking down. His accuracy, decision making, and his ability to read a defense are his issues. All mental issues. Physically, he’s what you would want in today’s nfl…which is why I called him a project. He is nowhere close to an nfl starting qb. 

His accuracy improved significantly this year.

But what he still struggles with is reading the field and processing information quickly and it feels like that is unlikely to get appreciably better after 3 seasons.

[section314]

49 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

I’m afraid they will not release him. There are strings attached here, which wasn’t the case with Manziel and Lynch. The RG3 fallout was bad for both sides.

If JD is prevented from releasing him if not being able to trade him, he should tell Woody to f**k himself and quit. I thought he would have done it last year after having Rodgers and his sh*tshow shoved down his throat, but this would have to be the last straw. And he would not be without a job for long.

[Untouchable]

The Jets always seem to get more out of these guys than everyone initially thinks.

I didn’t think we’d get what we did for Sheldon Richardson, Jamal Adams, Sam Darnold, etc.

Coaches don’t think like fans. There will absolutely be at least one coach/GM out there who sees the sh*t Wilson can do every once in a blue moon, will throw us a 5th round pick and dupe themselves into thinking that they can make it sustainable.

This sh*t happens all the time

[bitonti]

The day they cut or trade Zach wilson I'm gonna celebrate like it's 1999 

He really does put the worthless in worthless piece of sh*t 

[jeremy2020]

1 hour ago, Matt39 said:

He needs to get to a playoff contender with a hall of fame coaching staff in a warm climate. 

Oh, please, football gods send him to Miami so as soon as Tua's head bounces off the ground and he has another "back" problem.. we'll get Zach Wilson as an opposing QB.

[Jetsfan80]

19 minutes ago, extmenace said:

You’re gonna say he’s not athletic? While his pocket presence needs significant work, he does have the ability to create more time when the play starts breaking down. His accuracy, decision making, and his ability to read a defense are his issues. All mental issues. Physically, he’s what you would want in today’s nfl…which is why I called him a project. He is nowhere close to an nfl starting qb. 

Not “plus” athletic.  Not when you compare him to the QBs around the league.  He’s not anywhere close to the likes of Lamar, Josh Allen, Hurts, Kyler Murray, Anthony Richardson or Fields, nor would I say he is as athletic as Mahomes.  Dude hurt his knee tripping on a blade of grass.  

[Jetsfan80]

23 minutes ago, extmenace said:

You’re gonna say he’s not athletic? While his pocket presence needs significant work, he does have the ability to create more time when the play starts breaking down. His accuracy, decision making, and his ability to read a defense are his issues. All mental issues. Physically, he’s what you would want in today’s nfl…which is why I called him a project. He is nowhere close to an nfl starting qb. 

 

4 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Not “plus” athletic.  Not when you compare him to the QBs around the league.  He’s not anywhere close to the likes of Lamar, Josh Allen, Hurts, Kyler Murray, Anthony Richardson or Fields, nor would I say he is as athletic as Mahomes.  Dude hurt his knee tripping on a blade of grass.  

Exhibit B:

 

 

[Darnold Schwarzenegger]

I’d be perfectly fine just outright cutting him. I never expected anything more than a 6th or 7th so this report is no shocker. He is one of the biggest draft busts in recent history. 

[nj meadowlands]

45 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

See?  Hasn’t even happened yet and already it’s starting, lol:

 

 

Why do I have to blame Joe Douglas for that?  I can already blame Joe Douglas for ******* drafting him