The wait is apparently over.
Zach Wilson, the former BYU quarterback who was the second pick of the 2021 NFL draft by the New York Jets, has agreed to terms with the Jets on his rookie contract, multiple outlets reported Thursday morning.
Wilson had been the last first-round pick to not sign his contract, and he missed the first day of training camp Wednesday because of that.
According to multiple outlets, the dispute between the Jets and Wilson’s representatives had to do with contract language, particularly the offset clause, which provides the team with financial protection in the unlikely event it cuts Wilson before the contract is over.
Multiple outlets reported that the Jets ultimately won that sticking point, but the compromise was that Wilson will receive his signing bonus of just under $23 million within 15 days instead of having it deferred over a longer period.
As the second pick, Wilson was automatically slotted to make as his base compensation just north of $35 million over the life of the four-year deal.
The Jets had been widely criticized for haggling with Wilson’s representatives over the contract language, with ESPN’s Rich Cimini writing Wednesday, “This is no way to build chemistry in a new offensive scheme. The Jets haven’t reached a crisis point, yet. Wilson could show up Thursday or Friday and this mess will be forgotten by next week. But for now, it’s a bad optic.”