Gang's All Here Podcast Episode 178: Jets Trade Zach Wilson, 2024

Jets trade Zach Wilson to Broncos for late-round picks, ending nightmare era. Fans relieved as team moves on to fresh start.

Jets fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the Zach Wilson era with the Jets has officially come to an end. The 2021 No. 2 overall pick was traded to the Broncos on Monday in exchange for a swap of late-round draft picks. It had reached the point where the Jets were considering releasing Wilson and absorbing the financial loss, but they were able to secure a deal that sends him to a new team where he can start fresh and potentially see playing time.

Wilson's three-year tenure with the Jets was nothing short of a nightmare for both the team and its loyal fan base. With Aaron Rodgers as the starting quarterback and Tyrod Taylor as the backup, there was no longer any justification for Wilson to remain on the roster. With the 2024 NFL Draft looming, General Manager Joe Douglas seized the opportunity to make the move and rid the team of Wilson.

In the midst of the draft preparations, Brian Costello and I made a timely return on Monday with a pre-draft episode of the "Gang's All Here" podcast. We discussed our mock draft picks for the Jets at No. 10, reacted to the Wilson trade, and analyzed all the recent happenings during the Jets' offseason.

The trade involving Zach Wilson occurred after we had recorded the podcast, but it was a decision that needed to be made. Removing him from the roster was a weight off the Jets' shoulders, and the fact that they received something in return was a positive outcome. The offseason review highlighted some interesting stories, such as the Taylor ham, egg, and cheese Mike Williams saga, as well as the favorable Haason Reddick trade. We also debated the decision to let Bryce Huff go, with Coz expressing some reservations.

Looking ahead to the 10th pick in the draft, the question arises: should the Jets keep it, trade up, or trade down? We explored various scenarios to determine the best course of action. In my mock draft, I predicted that the Jets would select tight end Brock Bowers. Adding another target for Aaron Rodgers, who can also line up in the slot, would enhance the offense's versatility. Utilizing Bowers and Tyler Conklin simultaneously would provide the future Hall of Fame quarterback with numerous options to elevate the team's performance.