Carson Wentz Signs With Chiefs: Next For Zach Wilson, New York Jets?

Almost every team now has a viable plan for the backup quarterback position. Where does that leave the New York Jets with former top pick Zach Wilson?

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) was sacked 5 times and threw for only 81 yards against a / Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and

The longer it takes to find a trade partner, the more likely it is that the New York Jets and former second-overall pick Zach Wilson will remain together going into training camp.

That reality got even closer following the free agent signing of Carson Wentz by the Kansas City Chiefs. Wentz, a former MVP candidate during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, has bounced around since then, and was a backup to Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles with the Rams late last year.

Now, he becomes the primary backup to Patrick Mahomes while also learning from the quarterback guru himself, Andy Reid.

Kansas City was the lone franchise that seemed to be looking for a backup quarterback on their roster. Now that the position has been filled, there are no teams potentially looking for a third quarterback option just yet.

And that's terrible news for Wilson.

In three years since being the second pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, the BYU-product has never thrown for 3,000 yards, has never completed over 60 percent of his passes, and has more interceptions than touchdowns. In each of his first three seasons in the league, Wilson has been benched for different reasons by the Jets coaching staff.

Things came to ahead just last year when, in the middle of a three-game losing streak, the Jets benched Wilson a fourth total time, and then promptly went back to him after another two consecutive losses. Wilson reportedly was "apprehensive" about taking the field, and ended up playing another two games before a concussion ended his season.

Multiple reports stated that both the Jets and Wilson would part ways in the offseason with a trade being the most likely outcome. Owner Woody Johnson publicly said that because the Jets didn't have a backup quarterback, they struggled in 2023 - a clear shot at Wilson's lack of effectiveness.

Since then, though, no trade partner has been found, and Johnson has walked back his previous comments regarding Wilson now saying as early as last week that the organization would not cut the former prospect and instead look for the best offer available.

Now that the last true backup role has been filled, though, it might be awhile for the Jets and Wilson to actually find a trade partner.