EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets celebrates after a win over the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

It’s simply a matter of when, not if, the New York Jets give quarterback Zach Wilson his much-needed fresh start.

The No. 2 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft simply hasn’t been able to put it together in three seasons with the Jets. He is 12-21-0 as a starter for his career with a 57.0 completion percentage for 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Last week, GM Joe Douglas announced that the Jets gave Wilson permission to seek a trade. The BYU product has one season left on his rookie deal, though the team that lands Wilson will have the chance to pick up the fifth-year option and keep him under contract through 2025.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports made the case for the QB-needy Las Vegas Raiders to take a flier on Wilson. Las Vegas is expected to soon release Jimmy Garoppolo, who signed a three-year deal in free agency a year ago:
“They need a QB, and while Wilson may not be that guy, he’d at least offer more competition for Aidan O’Connell under center. That is, of course, if the new regime doesn’t work hard to leave the first round of the 2024 draft with a new signal-caller, and/or swing bigger via trade for someone like Justin Fields.”

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The Jets will get Aaron Rodgers back as their starting QB next season. The four-time league MVP suffered a season-ending Achilles tear minutes into his Jets debut, and Wilson was ultimately unable to save New York’s season.

As we’ve recently seen with Ryan Tannehill and Baker Mayfield, sometimes a QB just needs change of scenery to hit their ceiling. And if he landed with Vegas, Wilson would have the luxury of throwing to Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Michael Mayer.

So if the price is right, it makes perfect sense for the Raiders to take a chance on Wilson and see if he can hit his full potential here.