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

[bitonti]

5 minutes ago, Copernicus said:

Eh, Vernon Gholston, Deee Miliner were almost as high picks and had less success and barely played 

the difference between 2 and 6 is another 1st round pick and the difference between  2 and 10 is essentially another 10 pick

https://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart.asp

 

[SickJetFan]

3 hours ago, Matt39 said:

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."

Maybe Lisa can sweeten the pot?  ya feel me?

[Copernicus]

Just now, bitonti said:

the difference between 2 and 6 is another 1st round pick and the difference between  2 and 10 is essentially another 10 pick

https://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart.asp

 

I see your point , and given the importance of the QB position makes sense. I continue to feel like something is off about the selection. Just cant see how JD has seemingly hit on all other high picks (Becton and AVT were absolute beasts before injuries) and then misses with Zach when their were many legitimate excuses to pass on him for Fields or trade down

[Matt39]

59 minutes ago, bitonti said:

If I understand math (and I don't) it's an 11 mil cap hit to cut but only a 5.5 hit to trade 

Jets don’t have leverage 

[JoeNamathsFurCoat]

A 2-week stay at Best Western sounds like torture.

I wouldn't even wish that on Mike "Box Safety over Franchise QB" 🤣 Maccagnan.

[Matt39]

23 minutes ago, Copernicus said:

Maybe not anything substantial for Woody, but indirect (or direct) pressure on JD to take him. It is by far JD's worst pick and with not anything else to compare it to. Because the pick didnt work out it becomes something to look deeper into. Just an odd pick when Fields and Mac Jones played under bigger lights and not that much less athletic ability (from Fields anyway). Seems like a big gamble to take Zach Wilson when a trade down for a haul was right there considering JD's body of work. 

The pick on the surface was whatever. With more research it probably would have been clear he wasn’t going to work. The oddness that occurred after including the 3 years of poor play, not living in New Jersey, and just the overall secrecy of what exactly was going on with Zach Wilson. The second pick of the draft and the starting QB not having to talk to the media on season wrap up day, two years in a row, is not normal. 

[Jetsfan80]

1 hour ago, bitonti said:

If I understand math (and I don't) it's an 11 mil cap hit to cut but only a 5.5 hit to trade 

Yep.  And this is the part that some people aren’t factoring in.  Trading team needs to hand over a pick AND devote $5.5M to a QB3.  

It’s not improbable to imagine all 31 teams telling us to kick rocks on a trade and wait for JD to cut Zach instead.  

[Jetsfan80]

48 minutes ago, Warfish said:

Still trying to figure out what Woody got out of this grand conspiracy.

A friend for his son.  

[doitny]

7 minutes ago, Rangers9 said:

I don't think Zach worst player drafted in Jets history the dissatisfaction is based on his draft position overall 2. That was the big mistake. After that starting him on day 1. He wasn't ready and still isn't. If you ask biggest bust in Jets history I'd vote for Vern. Zach did have good performances and after year 1 most fans on this board were pro ZW I think there was even a poll. I can't see Zach starting over 50% of his next teams games if the compensation deals with games played. He'll be backup and possibly third string or on PS. I don't see any consistency in Zach's game but I do think he could go into a game and play well maybe even bring a team from behind based on his talent level. 

Zach Wilson is the worst QB in NFL history to start 30 games.  now if he would have sat this year JaMarcus Russell would be worst. guys as bad as Zach dont get that many starts.

and thats it, the starts. Gholston played in 45 games but only started 5. nobody made a big deal when he didnt play cause no one notice. but Zach was pushed on us for 33 starts. and for most of them played the whole game. Vern didnt play whole games and when he was out there most of us didnt even know he was.

and if you want to add other things ? yes QB is worst to bust at than DE. and the 2nd pick is worst to bust than the 6th pick.

anyway you look at it, Zach was the biggest bust in Jet history.

 

[doitny]

2 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Yep.  And this is the part that some people aren’t factoring in.  Trading team needs to hand over a pick AND devote $5.5M to a QB3.  

It’s not improbable to imagine all 31 teams telling us to kick rocks on a trade and wait for JD to cut Zach instead.  

thats what i would do. 

and like you keep saying, they will blame JD for not trading him..lol

[Jetsfan80]

23 minutes ago, Copernicus said:

Eh, Vernon Gholston, Deee Miliner were almost as high picks and had less success and barely played 

Opportunity cost.  There were a bunch of different paths the Jets could have taken with that # 2 pick in ‘21 that could have been franchise-altering moves in the positive direction.  They chose the worst possible door instead.

Meanwhile, check out that 2008 draft class and tell me who the Jets should have taken at 6 instead.  And also ask yourself if anybody was offering anything close to  3 firsts (or 2 firsts + other picks) for that draft slot.  

[Copernicus]

2 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

The pick on the surface was whatever. With more research it probably would have been clear he wasn’t going to work. The oddness is the 3 years of poor play, not living on New Jersey, and just the overall secrecy of what exactly was going on with Zach Wilson. The second pick of the draft and the starting QB not having to talk to the media on season wrap up day, two years in a row, is not normal. 

If you (and most fans) are on the side that JD is a good/above average GM it makes the Woody/Jet Blue "theory" more intriuging. JD is not McCagnan or Idzik. This team has talent from players chosen at the top, middle, end of the draft, and undrafted.  Even the high picks that havent panned out can easily be argued to bad luck injuries as opposed to choosing an often injured college player (see Dee Miliner). Looking at how badly Zach Wilson's career here pannned out (and your mentioned off field question marks) is it really so far fetched to believe Woody played a role in the Zach choice at #2? 

[Matt39]

9 minutes ago, doitny said:

Zach Wilson is the worst QB in NFL history to start 30 games.  now if he would have sat this year JaMarcus Russell would be worst. guys as bad as Zach dont get that many starts.

and thats it, the starts. Gholston played in 45 games but only started 5. nobody made a big deal when he didnt play cause no one notice. but Zach was pushed on us for 33 starts. and for most of them played the whole game. Vern didnt play whole games and when he was out there most of us didnt even know he was.

and if you want to add other things ? yes QB is worst to bust at than DE. and the 2nd pick is worst to bust than the 6th pick.

anyway you look at it, Zach was the biggest bust in Jet history.

 

Kyle Boller is the closest comparison. He started 34 games over his first 3 years. Zach technically 33 but basically started week 1 this year.

[SickJetFan]

3 hours 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.

JD was not a pillar of success prior to AR

[Rangers9]

5 minutes ago, doitny said:

Zach Wilson is the worst QB in NFL history to start 30 games.  now if he would have sat this year JaMarcus Russell would be worst. guys as bad as Zach dont get that many starts.

and thats it, the starts. Gholston played in 45 games but only started 5. nobody made a big deal when he didnt play cause no one notice. but Zach was pushed on us for 33 starts. and for most of them played the whole game. Vern didnt play whole games and when he was out there most of us didnt even know he was.

and if you want to add other things ? yes QB is worst to bust at than DE. and the 2nd pick is worst to bust than the 6th pick.

anyway you look at it, Zach was the biggest bust in Jet history.

 

I don't know if Zach would have been better if he didn't start from day one and was allowed to develop instead of learn on the job. 

[Warfish]

48 minutes ago, bitonti said:

Woody doesn't need money but he gets real money in the deal with JetBlue every year

You mean their advertising contract with the Jets?

You think that contract also includes a Zach-clause for extra payment beyond the value of the advertising?

48 minutes ago, bitonti said:

we can talk about how this agreement was around for a while

You mean long before Zach?  I believe it was.

48 minutes ago, bitonti said:

or how Zach's uncle isn't controlling the JetBlue corporation anymore

Not since 2008, when he left to launch another airline.  Then another after that.

When Zach was 9.

48 minutes ago, bitonti said:

but end of the day they are the 2nd biggest sponsor of the Jets beside MetLife

Does Azul advertise with the Jets?

Does Vigzul advertise with the Jets?

Does Breeze Airlines advertise with the Jets?

Why four companies ago, and not the three since?  

What about  Ballerina Farm, his actual son and daughters company?  Do they advertise with the Jets?

48 minutes ago, bitonti said:

and drafting Zach (and treating him as a scholarship player) helps that relationship

How so?  

And is the reverse true, will Jet Blue pull out as an advertiser once we trade Zach?

Is Jet Blue having their hub in the NY/NJ area perhaps, possibly, a reason why they might advertise with a NY/NJ football team?

Would they not advertise with us without Zach?

And what role does Neeleman, three airlines away, have here and why isn't he using that relationship to help his current airline?  Why help an old employer instead?

48 minutes ago, bitonti said:

beyond the vulgarities money he could just want to help someone in his circle, or be that big guy who you owe a favor 

Would you allow your NFL football team to suck for three years as a nod to supposed friend?

48 minutes ago, bitonti said:

but make no mistake if Justin Fields uncle founded met Life, maybe that dude would have gone 2 instead 

I'm sure someone now or once important at MetLife has a son, or nephew or Cousin who played QB in D1 college.

Maybe the real conspiracy is why THAT kid isn't our QB today?

[Pac]

Don't care what an article citing unnamed sources says.

Still think they get a 3rd or 4th and many of you go back to thinking JD is a miracle worker.

I called the Jamal and darnold compensation.  I like my chances.

[Matt39]

4 minutes ago, Copernicus said:

If you (and most fans) are on the side that JD is a good/above average GM it makes the Woody/Jet Blue "theory" more intriuging. JD is not McCagnan or Idzik. This team has talent from players chosen at the top, middle, end of the draft, and undrafted.  Even the high picks that havent panned out can easily be argued to bad luck injuries as opposed to choosing an often injured college player (see Dee Miliner). Looking at how badly Zach Wilson's career here pannned out (and your mentioned off field question marks) is it really so far fetched to believe Woody played a role in the Zach choice at #2? 

All I can think of is Jay Glazer reporting that the Jets front office had moved on from Wilson after the Jaguars debacle last year. And then during senior bowl week the rumors surfaced that Woody wanted him back again. Wilson spends all offseason in Utah, his mom gives the endorsement of Zach “learning from his favorite player” and he surfaces again at OTA’s.

[Warfish]

36 minutes ago, Copernicus said:

Maybe not anything substantial for Woody, but indirect (or direct) pressure on JD to take him. It is by far JD's worst pick and with not anything else to compare it to. Because the pick didnt work out it becomes something to look deeper into. Just an odd pick when Fields and Mac Jones played under bigger lights and not that much less athletic ability (from Fields anyway). Seems like a big gamble to take Zach Wilson when a trade down for a haul was right there considering JD's body of work. 

JD's good picks were pretty much all "duh" moves, obvious.

Most of his picks, both in FA and the Draft, have not been very good.

He's a GM who thinks he's smarter than everyone else, can find gems where others can't.  Picking Wilson is IMO a perfectly JD'esque move.  

Interestingly, the 49'ers were very strongly reported to want Wilson.  Was their ownership/GM also involved with Jet Blue and Neeleman as well?

Has any other NFL team owner, in the history of the league, picked a supposed friends kid or nephew or Cousin to be his franchise QB and kept him playing despite sucking for three seasons.....or is this a Woody-is-unique-in-the-history-of-sports situation?

[SickJetFan]

The kid has been nothing but drama since he got here.  Between the locker room stuff, the knee debacle, everyone hating him, and being a quitter...just cut him - leak some of the truth out and come clean - make an example of him... lesson learned.

[JoeNamathsFurCoat]

LOL what a disaster

 

Rotoworld has so little respect for ZW they didn't even bother to edit their copy, at one point calling him "Davis" 🤣

 

The guaranteed 5.45 M is a joke and a likely nonstarter in any potential trade talks. 

 

The idiots at 1JD would be lucky to get a $500 gift card for Burke Williams spa in LA in return for "the rights to" ZW:

 

ESPN’s Rich Cimini says, “The consensus is [Zach] Wilson could bring a sixth-or-seventh-round pick” if he were to be traded this offseason.

 

That sounds about right. After rumors surfaced in January that Wilson could be traded this offseason, Cimini and ESPN reached out to three NFL personnel executives to gauge Wilson’s value on the trade market. Perhaps the most scathing remark on Wilson came from an executive who said he’d “give up a two-week stay at a Best Western” and that he’s “not a fan.” Davis went 4-7 in place of Aaron Rodgers this season, throwing for 2,271-8-7 while completing 60.1 percent of his passes. He was eventually benched for the likes of Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian, who didn’t fare much better in their starts. As Cimini points out, Wilson is due a guaranteed $5.45 million next season, which could make moving him a challenge. It’s hard to imagine many teams giving up meaningful draft capital for Wilson, who may not even earn the backup job on a new team.

[Matt39]

2 minutes ago, SickJetFan said:

The kid has been nothing but drama since he got here.  Between the locker room stuff, the knee debacle, everyone hating him, and being a quitter...just cut him - leak some of the truth out and come clean - make an example of him... lesson learned.

It’s been a lot. Even this preseason when the plan was for him to play without the pressure and get reps….Boyle ended up playing more. Zach went in and handed off and then came out. It was the most bizarre thing. Like a pro football team doesn’t operate this way without something else going on beyond the coaches control. If the plan were to really rehabilitate him he’d be playing 90% of the preseason snaps. 

[Jetluv58]

Hope he succeeds elsewhere beyond our crappy QB development capabilities. 

[bitonti]

28 minutes ago, Warfish said:

Would you allow your NFL football team to suck for three years as a nod to supposed friend?

Would you leave the country for four years and put the team in the control of your younger brother? 

As for your other points you are technically correct but lack some perspective. Just because neeleman isn't on the board does not mean he's unaffiliated. He's the founder and sits on a horde of premium stock. The board are all his friends and cronies he wasn't forced out. These people on the jblu board are often investors in his new companies 

Trading Zach also is a gift when he's been given more unearned qb starts in league history and the Jets will likely have to eat his salary for someone else to justify keeping him at qb3

Seriously though If Jet blue had no connection to wilson how did this Carolina flight happen? 

It's not like any Jets draft pick before or since was given such a welcome 

https://jetswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/12/new-york-jets-zach-wilson-nfl-debut-uncle-david-neeleman-charter-jet-blue-flight/

[The Crusher]

1 hour ago, faba said:

We just should bite the bullet and release him let him start over  and we rid ourselves of a distraction

Speak for yourself Frank, I want my free two week stay at the Best Western with complimentary continental breakfast. 

[UntouchableCrew]

50 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Opportunity cost.  There were a bunch of different paths the Jets could have taken with that # 2 pick in ‘21 that could have been franchise-altering moves in the positive direction.  They chose the worst possible door instead.

Meanwhile, check out that 2008 draft class and tell me who the Jets should have taken at 6 instead.  And also ask yourself if anybody was offering anything close to  3 firsts (or 2 firsts + other picks) for that draft slot.  

Agreed.

Looking at what the Jets did when they had extra picks (Sauce, GW, JJ, Breece all in one draft) and looking at what the Lions have done it's pretty clear that signing a random vet QB and trading #2 overall for a haul (to the 9ers, whoever) was the right move.

Reality is there wasn't a QB worth the 2nd pick in that draft. Even Lawrence has been kind of a bust.

[83Kelly2Allen18]

1 hour ago, Copernicus said:

I see your point , and given the importance of the QB position makes sense. I continue to feel like something is off about the selection. Just cant see how JD has seemingly hit on all other high picks (Becton and AVT were absolute beasts before injuries) and then misses with Zach when their were many legitimate excuses to pass on him for Fields or trade down

Because nobody really knows how to scout QBs. 

 

Some of the greatest QBs ever

 

Brady, Montana, Mahomes, Rodgers

 

We're all taken way later or had a couple QBs taken ahead of them in the first round. Its the hardest position to predict in sports. 

 

Elway, P. Manning, and Luck were the only sure fire QBs I can really remember. Trevor Lawrence was too and he's going to at least be really really good 

[Jetsplayer21]

4 hours 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.

There is no way Zach is back with jets next yr. They finally all realize how god awful he is. His attitude has no proven to be just as bad as his play. Even Rodgers is over him. So he’s definitely done here lol.

[JetsfaninNorthHollywood]

4 hours 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'd be the best for him. If not the Rams, I'd mentioned in another post from awhile back, perhaps KC. Andy Reid would get into his head and watching Mahomes might salvage his career.

[Barry McCockinner]

46 minutes ago, Pac said:

Don't care what an article citing unnamed sources says.

Still think they get a 3rd or 4th and many of you go back to thinking JD is a miracle worker.

I called the Jamal and darnold compensation.  I like my chances.

Put me down for a 5th rounder. If I win you take me to red lobster.

[jeremy2020]

You might get a used wet knap. The value for the jets is getting his salary off the books and avoiding the $11 million cap hit.

[JetsfaninNorthHollywood]

3 hours ago, Jetsfan80 said:

 

Exhibit B:

 

 

This and the Butt Fumble...some of the lower points in the teams dubious history.

[83Kelly2Allen18]

Conventional wisdom would suggest you can't really get much for him but there is always a silly owner or gm that will ditka/ al Davis something

Id call Washington, they seem pretty dumb as an organization 

 

[Warfish]

7 minutes ago, bitonti said:

Would you leave the country for four years and put the team in the control of your younger brother? 

To be the U.S. Ambassador to the UK?  Knowing my brother?  Yes, in a heartbeat.

I think some of you highly undervalue being an Ambassador to our biggest ally.  You make it sound like he abandoned the team and went into exile with no phones for a cup of coffee and a donut.  Also, you make it out like he couldn't/didn't ever talk to his brother during that period.  

7 minutes ago, bitonti said:

As for your other points you are technically correct

Oh, I'm well aware Bit. 

7 minutes ago, bitonti said:

Just because neeleman isn't on the board does not mean he's unaffiliated. He's the founder and sits on a horde of premium stock. The board are all his friends and cronies he wasn't forced out. These people on the jblu board are often investors in his new companies

He's a stock owner, absolutely.  That gives him votes, like any stock owner.  He doesn't control the majority, he doesn't pick the Board members, and most of all he doesn't have any role whatsoever is selecting the actual management staff who actually manage the company.

You would have us believe that Needelman somehow controls the Board despite being a minor stockowner in the grand scheme, but alos controls the management staff, and not just them, but also the marketing department that manages and decides who to advertise with.

More, you continue to ignore that Jet Blue's major Hub is in the NY/NJ area.  And you handwave as nothing that the contract to advertise with the Jets existed long before Zach was drafted.  

All this because what, you can't possibly believe that JD liked Zach and isn't a very good judge of QB talent, despite all the evidence to the contrary during his tenure?  Somehow it can't be JD, it has to be the Woody/Needelman Cabal?

It's a hell of a silly reach IMO.  The bad guys is right in front of you, his name is JD.  And he saw his error after two seasons and did his darndest to replace Zach with Rodgers, so it's not even really three seasons.  

7 minutes ago, bitonti said:

Seriously though If Jet blue had no connection to wilson how did this Carolina flight happen? 

It's not like any Jets draft pick before or since was given such a welcome 

https://jetswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/12/new-york-jets-zach-wilson-nfl-debut-uncle-david-neeleman-charter-jet-blue-flight/

Chartering a plane isn't very hard Bit.  You could do it today if you had the dollars and a longstanding contractual agreement with that airline beforehand (probably not needed if you had the dollars), and I presume you're not part of the Jet Blue Cabal.

A chartered plane isn't that big a deal actually.  Certainly not a sign of a conspiracy.

[SoFlaJets]

Reminds me of the scene in The Good The Bad and The Ugly when Tuco manages to stumble into town after being left to slow bake in the desert by Blondie. Eli sticks his foot into the door and makes the old man show him all the guns and after a great scene he wags the gun between them and asks "How much?" and instead of a price for the weapon, the whiskey the sombrero and the leather strap the old man's "price" turns into how much he will pay Tuco (the Rat) for not killing him.  It's kinda like that how much did we have to give YOU for taking this PoFS no talent lump off of OUR hands and out of our lives as Jets fans?