Jets make expected decision on QB Zach Wilson

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas confirmed while speaking with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday that quarterback Zach Wilson and his representation have been granted permission to seek a trade this offseason. 

It remains to be seen if a team will give the Jets anything for the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. 

"Where we are exactly, we’ve given them permission to talk to other teams about a trade," Douglas said about the situation, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I’m going to circle back with [Wilson’s agent] at some point, either this week or next week, just to see how those conversations are going. But other than that, there’s nothing else to report." 

Douglas may not have much to report anytime soon. Jets beat reporter Brian Costello wrote on Tuesday that "it is going to be difficult to get anything of value for" Wilson considering it's hardly a secret the Jets want to move on from the 24-year-old being labeled as a "bust." Earlier this month, one unnamed NFL assistant coach joked to ESPN he'd only give up "a two-week stay at a Best Western" for Wilson. 

Wilson's tumultuous three-year tenure with the Jets included several benchings, losing members of the locker room on multiple occasions and an alleged desire to remain a spectator this past December after head coach Robert Saleh played both Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian during a Week 13 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. It was also reported in late January that Wilson's feelings about Week 1 QB1 Aaron Rodgers "soured over the season" as Rodgers worked to recover from the torn Achilles he suffered on Sept. 11. 

Douglas added that signing a veteran to replace Wilson as Rodgers' primary backup is "part of the discussions that we’ve had" this offseason.

"We’ve had good meetings, good evaluations with the guys who are available," Douglas said. "And I think we’re ready to take the next step and see where the market is exactly with these backup quarterbacks." 

Wilson seemingly has no home with the Jets moving forward, but Douglas ultimately may have to release the signal-caller for the good of everybody involved if no trade materializes before or during the upcoming draft.