Zach Wilson Trade Rumors: 49ers, Bills, Broncos Unlikely Landing Spots for Jets QB

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At least a few teams in search of a backup or developmental quarterback reportedly aren’t likely to pursue a trade for New York Jets signal-caller Zach Wilson.

According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos all figure to look elsewhere for their quarterback needs.

Rosenblatt noted that Wilson’s struggles adapting to a variation of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense could rule him out for the 49ers. He also noted that the Bills “don’t seem to think highly of Wilson’s potential,” and that the Broncos don’t appear to have him on their list of quarterback targets.

New York selected Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft in hopes that he could become a franchise quarterback, but he has failed to approach that distinction.

Over his first two seasons, Wilson went 8-14 as a starter, completing just 55.2 percent of his passes for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

With Wilson looking unlikely to live up to his draft status, the Jets got aggressive last offseason, acquiring future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Green Bay Packers.

Expectations were high for Rodgers and the Jets as a whole last season, but he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on New York’s first offensive series of the season, pressing Wilson back into action.

Wilson appeared in 12 games and made 11 starts, going 4-7 while completing 60.1 percent of his passing attempts for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns and seven picks.

It was essentially more of the same from Wilson in his third season, as he was benched for journeymen Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian late in the year, and the Jets finished with a 7-10 record, missing the playoffs for a 13th consecutive season.

Wilson is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, and with Rodgers expected to return and take over the starting role next season, there is no longer a need for Wilson on the roster.

Since both Wilson and the Jets would benefit from a change of scenery, general manager Joe Douglas told reporters Wednesday that the team granted Wilson permission to seek a trade.

The main issue is that it is unclear if any team would be willing to part with an asset in exchange for a 24-year-old quarterback who has struggled mightily.

San Francisco likely has Brock Purdy locked into the starting quarterback role after reaching the Super Bowl last season. Another former Jets quarterback in Sam Darnold was the backup last season, but he is set to become a free agent.

Mike LaFleur, who was the 49ers’ passing game coordinator from 2017 through 2020, was Wilson’s offensive coordinator in New York from 2021 to 2022. The partnership didn’t work out well, and it may not go much better with Shanahan.

The Bills have their unquestioned franchise quarterback in Josh Allen, but backup quarterback is a position they must address with Kyle Allen hitting free agency.

Being in the AFC East, the Bills saw plenty of Wilson over the past few seasons, and they apparently weren’t impressed.

Denver would represent a great opportunity for Wilson since it will need a starter if it moves on from Russell Wilson as expected, but there are likely better options available.

Rosenblatt noted that the Broncos could try to trade for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields or Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, or they could address quarterback in the draft.

Denver owns the No. 12 overall pick, which is a spot that could possibly yield Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Oregon’s Bo Nix or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.