While the Jets gave Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade last month, it’s been a quiet market for the former second-overall pick. However, the quarterback could be a match with his former offensive coordinator.
[RELATED: Jets Give QB Zach Wilson Permission To Seek Trade]
As Albert Breer of SI.com writes, the Rams are a “logical landing spot” for Wilson. Breer also notes that Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur would be “very open to a reunion.” LaFleur previously served as the Jets OC during Wilson’s first two years in the NFL.
Wilson’s 2023 showing wasn’t any worse than his two years under LaFleur. The coach previously admitted that the organization may have made a mistake immediately starting the quarterback as a rookie. While the former Jets OC placed plenty of blame on the young signal-caller during their time together in New York, LaFleur later conceded that Wilson’s lack of development was also the fault of the coaching staff.
“For two years, we haven’t done our job with him,’’ LaFleur said following the 2022 campaign (via Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post). “Any player at any position that isn’t producing to the level they’re capable of, as a coach you’ve failed them. There’s a two-way street with it — the player’s got to meet you in the middle with it.”
Ultimately, LaFleur was the one held responsible for the offensive’s shortcomings, with the Jets and the OC agreeing to part ways last offseason. It took less than a month before the coach landed the same job with the Rams.
Breer provides more logic for why Wilson could be a fit in Los Angeles. The writer opines that the quarterback needs a year to “reset,” an opportunity he’d surely have with the Rams. With Jimmy Garoppolo now with the Rams as a QB2 behind Matthew Stafford, Wilson probably wouldn’t see the field in 2024 (barring a funky turn of events during Garoppolo’s two-game suspension).
Wilson was unexpectedly thrust back into the starting lineup following Aaron Rodgers‘ season-ending injury. The QB’s third season as a starter proved to the Jets that it was time to move on. With a divorce all but inevitable, the organization recently granted Wilson permission to find his next home. A possible sixth- or seventh-round pick could be the return, but even with the Jets basically giving him away, teams may be wary of taking on Wilson’s $11MM cap hit.
Besides the two-game suspension for Jimmy G, it’s a mirror to the situation he’d have with the Jets. The two QBs in both situations are older veterans with injury histories. If the Rams are willing to take the deal even if the Jets paid down the contract, I’m sure the Jets would do it for a clean start.
You mean LaFleur wasn’t the problem after a successful season in LA? It was Zach’s inept play and smooth brain processing? Shocking!
“NOOOOOOOOOO !”
The Jets will have to release him before anyone takes a flyer on Wilson, nobody is trading for him with that contract attached, you pay that Jets then just maybe someone will give him a shot at QB3
Wilson is still on his rookie contract. Jets can decline the 5th-year option if they haven’t already, setting things up for a trade to the Rams.
out of all the places he could go, i could see him doing his best with McVay. theyd prob need to start from the ground up with him tho