Despite being given permission to speak with teams about a trade more than six weeks ago, Zach Wilson is still with the Jets as a contract-year QB. However, it appears that the team is moving towards the idea of him playing elsewhere in 2024.

It is unlikely that the Jets will get much in return for Wilson, who has been disappointing as a QB draftee. There have been rumors that the team may need to add a draft pick to entice another team to take on Wilson’s 2024 guarantee. GM Joe Douglas confirmed that they are still trying to trade Wilson, but he remains a Jet despite offers coming in.

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Wilson is not participating in Jets offseason workouts, which are voluntary. Given the team’s actions at QB and owner Woody Johnson’s comments about Wilson, it is understandable that the BYU alum is avoiding offseason work with his current team. The Jets have made it clear for some time that they are moving on from Wilson, as evidenced by signing Tyrod Taylor to back up Aaron Rodgers.

The team is looking to invest in a quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft, with Douglas expressing interest in building a “QB factory” similar to the Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson-era Packers. Green Bay consistently drafted QBs annually, even with Brett Favre’s long tenure as a starter. This approach resulted in the likes of Mark Brunell, Matt Hasselback, Aaron Brooks, and Kurt Warner passing through before Rodgers’ selection in 2005.

Considering Rodgers’ age (40), quarterback is a position of need for the Jets, though they are not expected to draft one in the first round. A Day 2 selection would be intriguing, given the pressure on Douglas and HC Robert Saleh in the upcoming season. Both are on the hot seat, and drafting a player who won’t contribute until 2024 adds a level of risk. Rodgers, who initially hinted at retirement, now plans to play at least two more seasons and possibly into his mid-40s.

While many teams have filled their QB2 spot, some have not. The upcoming days are critical for the Jets and Wilson, who is guaranteed $5.5MM this year. If the Jets release Wilson, they would incur $11.2MM in dead money. Currently, the team is not expected to cut the three-year starter. Failing to trade Wilson before the draft could lead to his release, with a Day 2 or Day 3 draftee likely becoming the team’s third-string QB. This would leave Wilson without a place on the 2024 roster.