'He Ain't It!' Jets Insider Offers Harsh Zach Wilson Trade Prediction

ESPN insider Rich Cimini minced no words when analyzing Zach Wilson's future and what the New York Jets can do to salvage the era.

Stop us if you've heard this one before, but the New York Jets are looking for a quarterback. 

Fans of Gang Green can rest somewhat assured: next season's blueprint is sketched around the return of Aaron Rodgers as the primary thrower. But Rodgers' devastating ACL tear just four plays into the season forced the Jets to turn to a season-derailing hodgepodge of aerial nightmares headlined by Zach Wilson. The failure of the No. 2 pick from 2021's draft to serviceably fill in for Rodgers doomed New York to its 13th consecutive playoff miss.

Needless to say, the Jets will spend this offseason to better prepare for Rodgers-based emergencies, and that starts with the presumed end of the Wilson era. Cutting Wilson a year early will burden the Jets with over $11 million in dead money so they'll likely see what they can get for him in a trade no matter how meager the return. 

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Rich Cimini pondered the possibilities on his ESPN New York podcast "Flight Deck." The ESPN Jets insider's forecast warns fans not to get greedy when it comes to a potential Wilson yield.

"He might have to settle for a No. 3 job. I don’t know (if) anyone is going to be knocking down his door to offer him a No. 2," Cimini declared, projecting a day three pick coming back to New York in a hypothetical deal. "He’s not going to turn into a star. Yes, he does have talent but we know his shortcomings. Yes, the Jets did him no favors with the way they treated him but let’s be real, he ain’t it."

Wilson, of course, never consistently impressed over two years as the Jets' undisputed top passer but his NFL fate was likely sealed last season: despite boasting the second-ranked defense in the league and retaining several young breakout talents in the skill positions, the Jets completely fell apart without Rodgers and extending the NFL's longest active playoff drought. 

This time around, Wilson posted a 4-7 mark as a starter before injuries and inconsistency forced him to give way to Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian. His 77.2 passer rating ranked 30th among primary passers this season, besting only Mac Jones and rookie Bryce Young.

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As for where Wilson could possibly end up, Cimini cited the relative open spots with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. Arizona would be an undeniable backup gig (where Clayton Tune is the only other passer on the active roster) while Minnesota could provide the faintest hint of primary snaps (before giving way to a potential rookie or veteran newcomer) if/when current starter Kirk Cousins leaves. 

‘I think he wants to go to a team with a strong offensive coach," Cimini said. "I could see something like Minnesota or Arizona looking for a backup."

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