Insider Reacts to Rare Proposed Jets, Patriots QB Trade

Is there a chance that the New England Patriots and the New York Jets will make an unusual deal this offseason?

 

In a mailbag column published on Thursday, December 14, Sports Illustrated, a reader made that exact suggestion to Albert Breer.

 

A straight-up trade of Mac Jones for Zach Wilson may “serve both parties,” according to NFL Insider Albert Breer.

Wilson is currently using a different offensive coordinator. Jones is currently

in his third. If either of them returns to their teams in 2024 and gets a chance to

play, it will be with an extremely short leash, especially considering each fan

base’s feelings are buoyed by very recent bad memories. Both have been benched,

both have played behind porous offensive lines, and both will almost

certainly have their fifth-year options declined.

Breer said it would be “pretty cool to see what would happen if it did,” but he ultimately doubts it would happen “because, again, they’re the Jets and Patriots.”

A Creative Way to Hit the Reset Button for 2 Different NFL Teams

Both former first-round quarterbacks have struggled at the NFL level.

Wilson has appeared in 33 games and has made 32 starts in his three years in the league. During that run, he has had more interceptions (25) than passing touchdowns (23). He has also struggled with accuracy completing only 57.2% of his passes.

Jones has an even bigger sample size from his run with the Patriots. He has played and started in 42 games. Overall the former Alabama product has had some better statistics in several key areas.

Jones’s touchdown to interception ratio is 46 to 36. In addition, he has completed 66.1% of his throws for 8,918 passing yards.

 

Although Jones lacks Wilson’s skill level by a wide margin, he has demonstrated a far higher floor than the former BYU standout.

 

That is precisely the kind of quarterback the Jets need to maximize their talents, given the makeup of the team.

Although the Jets might have an upgrade at quarterback in reserve, Aaron Rodgers is coming back in 2024.

Loaded Jets Injury Report, Wilson Speaks With Media

The Jets had a very lengthy injury report on Thursday, December 14. 12 players were featured including Wilson.

Head coach Robert Saleh said Wilson hurt his knee in the big win versus the Houston Texans last week. Despite the injury, Wilson has been a full participant in both practices and appears good to go for the Miami Dolphins game in Week 15.

While Wilson might be out there for the Jets, the same can’t be said for several members of his offensive line.

This could force the Jets to start their No. 11 different offensive line combination this season. Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News observed that both Max Mitchell and Carter Warren were “doing work on the rehab field” and added that it isn’t very “encouraging” for Sunday’s game.