Jets Trade Rumors: Zach Wilson to NFC North?

The latest trade rumor surrounding New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has the former first-rounder swapping the Meadowlands for the North Star State.

Could New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson be headed to the Midwest? 

With the legal tampering period for NFL free agency set to open Monday at noon ET, rumors are abound regarding several teams’ ride along the impending quarterback carousel. Though the Jets are seemingly content with Aaron Rodgers as their starter, team owner Woody Johnson has essentially decreed that Gang Green will be in the market for a new backup to the four-time league MVP. 

Accordingly, it appears that Wilson has played his final down in a Jets uniform. In fact, per a recent prediction from The Athletic, a potential landing spot for the BYU product could be the Minnesota Vikings.

Cred: ClutchPoints

“Let’s get wild. If the Vikings lose [starting quarterback Kirk] Cousins, their top target will be [Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker] Mayfield,” The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt wrote. “But if Mayfield doesn’t hit free agency, Minnesota might try to take a flier on a young option with some upside … Wilson is on his way out in New York but in the right environment, with the right coaching, he still has the talent to, at worst, be a high-end backup. Minnesota is a good fit.”

Since arriving in East Rutherford as the No. 2 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson has appeared in 34 games (33 starts) over three seasons with the Jets. During that span, he completed 57 percent of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. Despite being displaced as New York’s starter in each of his three campaigns in a Jets uniform, Wilson has demonstrated an ability to deliver in clutch situations — orchestrating three fourth-quarter comebacks and two game-winning drives last season. Wilson finished the year by completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,271 yards with eight scores and seven interceptions following Rodgers’ season-ending torn Achilles. 

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Due to Wilson’s struggles, the Jets are not expected to receive a sound return on investment for his services. Recent predictions have centered around a package of either sixth-or seventh-round draft picks as compensation.

Conversely, the Vikings may be willing to take a late-round flyer on 24-year-old. While Cousins technically has a year remaining on his contract, the year is set to void at the start of the 2024 year, making him a free agent. Reserve quarterback Joshua Dobbs is also set to enter free agency, with reserves Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall under contract.  

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