Zach Wilson has already been told that he could still have a place and a future with the New York Jets.
The Jets pursuit of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the worst kept secret in the NFL, with both teams in communications for well over a month now. However, with no deal yet confirmed, teams have returned for off-season workout programmes ahead of the NFL Draft next week. And one of those players back in the building is Wilson, whose status with the team had been in the air.
The 2021 second-overall draft pick joined the Jets with so much potential coming out of BYU, but has largely struggled as the starter - throwing more interceptions than touchdowns whilst having his leadership questioned.
In one incident during a 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots, Wilson would throw for just 77 yards in a performance which he was heavily criticised for. The Jets defence had kept them in the game - which had been the story all season - with Wilson struggling to move the ball and would make a number of poor decisions.
Speaking after that loss, Wilson infuriated a number of his team-mates when he failed to take accountability for the loss. Wilson was asked if he feels he let the defence down, to which he bluntly responded: "No."
This saw Wilson dropped as the starter, and what many would assume could have been his last game as a Jet - with the franchise making it known that they'd look for a quarterback in the off-season.
However, Wilson has already been told that the Jets want to see him remain with the team - and could take over from Rodgers as the starter in a few years.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has reported: "Ideally, and the Jets know pulling this off will be tricky, Wilson would back up Rodgers for a year or two, develop in the background and be in position to take over for him in 2024 or '25, depending on how much longer the current Packer/likely-soon-to-be Jet wants to play.
"The Jets, for their part, think he needs it. And it sounds like Wilson is pretty open to the idea of learning from Rodgers (with whom he has a relationship) for the time being."
Wilson reportedly grew up adoring the Packers star with NFL reporter Ari Meirov stating that he idolised Rodgers from a young age, and is delighted to have grown a close relationship with the NFL veteran.
