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Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) watches from the sideline after being pulled from the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

What's next for the Jets at QB after Zach Wilson disaster?

By Nathaniel Griffee | Last updated 12/23/22

With his dreadful game against the Jaguars on Thursday, Zach Wilson drove a stake through his New York Jets career. Afterward, Amazon analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick, a former NFL QB, said the former second overall pick was "done" in New York.

New York's playoff hopes are all but crushed, too, so attention will turn to the offseason and the big question:

What can the Jets do to fix their QB woes?

Here are their potential options:

Mike White

In three games this season, the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent has passed for 952 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. White should be re-signed, but he is not the answer for GM Joe Douglas, mainly because of his injury history.

White has only started six games in two seasons for the Jets (7-8). In two of those games, he was knocked out with injuries. An argument can be made that the Jets will miss the playoffs because White is out with fractured ribs.

Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is QB-heavy, with four quarterbacks in Mel Kiper's top-25 prospects.

The Jets currently have the 15th overall pick, per Tankathon, so they could select Ohio State's CJ Stroud, seventh on Kiper's list, if he falls. Unlike Wilson, Stroud is a strong pocket passer but struggles with off-schedule throws. In theory, he could work well in Mike LaFleur's structured offense.

More likely to be available at 15, Florida's Anthony Richardson could be an option. Richardson has a strong arm and high athleticism.

Going deep into Anthony Richardson as a prospect today, but I wanted to show this example of his "Get out of jail free" arm.

Just a "Vick-flick" of 50+ air yards. No big deal. pic.twitter.com/pxGM9FPcgO
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 15, 2022

However, he has poor mechanics and an inability to hit easy throws, per Kiper. (h.t On3.com). Does he remind you of anyone? Give me a W...I...L...

It probably would not be wise for the Jets to use premium draft capital on a quarterback whom they don't expect to start any time soon. The roster is too talented to wait for another young QB to develop.

Veterans

The best route for the win-now Jets may be a veteran to replace White, allowing him to become a high-end backup.

Veterans Aaron Rodgers (Packers) and Derek Carr (Raiders) could become available via trade, but given that declining vet Russell Wilson commanded multiple first-round picks, the price may not justify the potential reward.

This is especially true given the 39-year-old Rodgers' recent regression -- he owns his worst season passer rating, 92.3, since 2006. Carr has a 63-78 record as a starter, which won't wow any Jets fan.

The Jets could tap into the free-agent market. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will get a lot of attention given Jets HC Robert Saleh's San Francisco connections. (He was 49ers defensive coordinator from 2017-20.)

Jimmy G, however, has an extensive injury history and a skill set similar to White's. Does it make sense for the Jets to pay big money for a "store-brand" guy?

#Jets view Mike White as store-brand Jimmy Garoppolo.

Knows exactly what he can &, more importantly, can't do. Plays within structure of offense. Takes what D gives him. Hits open guy.

That's why they felt OK opening up more with him under center pic.twitter.com/ZwO6uQES4M
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) November 27, 2022

Former Jets quarterbacks Geno Smith and Sam Darnold will also be free agents and would create a lot of buzz -- most of it probably negative. Smith has had a renaissance in Seattle, but it's difficult to imagine a fan base being happy with him or Darnold.

Perhaps the best option for the Jets may be their former nemesis, Tampa Bay's Tom Brady. Despite his historical antipathy for Gang Green, the old Jets killer may be amenable to the idea of returning to the AFC East.

Brady, who will be 46 by the start of next season, isn't what he used to be, but he's far from washed up. He has 20 touchdown passes and seven interceptions this season.

With the Jets' roster, signing him to a one-year deal similar to his current contract could make New York an immediate Super Bowl contender without forcing Douglas to mortgage the future.

As for Wilson, he has fully guaranteed salaries of $3.855 million in 2023 and $5.453 million in 2024, per Pro Football Talk. He'll play football somewhere in 2023, but White has probably taken his last bite from the Big Apple.

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