Unnamed NFL assistant coach torches Jets' Zach Wilson

At least one unnamed NFL assistant coach believes the New York Jets should take pretty much anything they can get from a team for quarterback Zach Wilson this offseason. 

"I'd give up a two-week stay at a Best Western," that coach said about what he'd offer the Jets for Wilson during a chat with Rich Cimini of ESPN. "I'm not a fan."

Wilson endured back-to-back tumultuous campaigns that included multiple benchings, being replaced atop the depth chart by future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers last spring and an alleged "soured" relationship with Rodgers. 

According to ESPN stats, Wilson ended this past regular season ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 30.6 adjusted QBR. He recorded eight touchdown passes and seven interceptions across fewer than 12 full games. 

One personnel executive told Cimini the Jets "will never get the value they want" for Wilson and instead could have to settle for a 2025 conditional draft pick that could change based upon if he plays a certain amount of snaps next season. A different assistant coach suggested at least one team could take a flier on the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft due to his undeniable gifts. 

"The only trade value for him is his arm talent, meaning he can make all the throws," that coach said about 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."

Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1 on Sept. 11, but he's expected to be good to go for the regular-season opener this coming September. Assuming it's true that he and Wilson are no longer as close as they seemed to be last summer, the Jets holding onto the 24-year-old instead of signing a proven backup this offseason likely makes little sense for anyone involved. 

One scout told Cimini that the Jets could get a seventh-round draft pick in return for Wilson's services "if they're lucky." Clearly, Wilson's reputation around the league has taken multiple hits since his best days with the BYU Cougars.