Jets will keep Zach Wilson if they can’t trade him: Woody Johnson

ORLANDO, Fla. — Could Zach be back?

Jets owner Woody Johnson said Monday that the team won’t release quarterback Zach Wilson if they can’t find a trade partner for him.

“If we don’t trade him, we’re going to keep him,” Johnson said at the NFL owners’ meetings.

The Jets have been trying to find someone interested in taking the former No. 2 overall pick off their hands, but nothing has materialized.

Jets owner Woody Johnson speaks to reporters in Orlando on March 25, 2024. SNY

Johnson may have just been posturing on Monday to try to avoid destroying any trade value Wilson may have, but it was surprising to hear Johnson say the Jets would consider holding onto Wilson.

Johnson acknowledged that it would be better for Wilson to get a fresh start with another team.

“From his standpoint, it’s probably better if he changes faces and gets to a new place and he can wipe the slate clean,” Johnson said. “I think that would probably be better for him.”

While Johnson said that a new team would be in Wilson’s best interest, he made it clear he is not going to just give him away.

“Zach is a valuable asset,” Johnson said. “I said it would be better for him. No, we’re not just going to release him.”

Johnson’s tone about Wilson changed from last month at NFL Honors when Johnson said, “We need a backup quarterback. We didn’t have one last year.”

Jets quarterback Zach Wilson Bill Kostroun for the NY Post

Johnson said he wishes Wilson got to sit behind Aaron Rodgers last season, as the team planned. Instead, Wilson took over four plays into the season when Rodgers got hurt.

The Jets signed Tyrod Taylor this offseason to backup Rodgers.

“I feel badly about Zach in some ways,” Johnson said. “Last year would have been great, it would have been the first time he could just sit back and watch a master at work. He’s never had that. He’s been in the fire from Day 1. I think that’s what he needs. He needs to be in a place where he can observe for a while. He’s got the skill. He can do everything. There’s a reason we drafted him at No. 2 overall. I have confidence that he’ll get there at some point.”

There was a report from Pro Football Talk on Monday that the Jets have received offers for Wilson but Johnson has been the one stopping the trade. Johnson said that is not true.

“I don’t nix them,” Johnson said. “If it was nixed, it would be Joe that nixed it.”