The breakup between Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets has put Zach Wilson and his time in New York back in the spotlight.
Former NFL wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson brought up Wilson’s performance and record with the Jets on Monday’s episode of the “Nightcap” podcast he hosts with Shannon Sharpe.
“Zach Wilson was a better quarterback, just FYI, ... (than) Aaron Rodgers. I’m not talking about the old Aaron Rodgers. I’m talking about the new Aaron Rodgers,” Johnson said.
Sharpe and Johnson said that the Jets went 7-10 with Wilson in 2023 before going 5-12 with Rodgers in 2024. Johnson added, “So who is the better quarterback again for the Jets?”
While 7-10 was indeed the team’s record in both 2022 and 2023, it isn’t entirely accurate to credit Wilson with those results. Wilson himself went 5-4 as the Jets starting quarterback in 2022 and 5-6 in 2023.
In 2022, quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Mike White each started four games.
In 2023, Rodgers started the first game of the season, but Wilson took over after Rodgers was injured four snaps into his Jets career. Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian started two and three games, respectively, that season.
The end of the Aaron Rodgers era in New York
On Thursday, the Jets announced that the team is moving on from Rodgers in a joint statement from new head coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey.
“Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,” the pair said. “It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures. We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”
The announcement came less than two years after the Jets traded for Rodgers, pressing pause on Wilson’s role as an NFL starting quarterback and giving him more time to develop. But the transition didn’t go as planned.
After Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury, Wilson was thrust back into the starting role before he was ultimately traded to the Denver Broncos last April, as the Deseret News previously reported.
Where will Aaron Rodgers play in 2025?
Rodgers is just one of many veteran quarterbacks who will likely be playing for a new team next season.
Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins could be on the move.
Here is where the national media has Rodgers landing:
- Sports Illustrated: Steelers, Titans, 49ers, Raiders or Saints
- NFL.com: Raiders, Giants, Browns or Steelers
- Fox Sports: Steelers, Raiders, Seahawks, Saints or Colts
ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks the Rams could be in the mix if they can’t work things out with Stafford, though keeping Stafford is the goal, per Schefter.
“If the Rams couldn’t get a deal done with Stafford, if they decide to trade him, a lot of ‘ifs’ involved, then Aaron Rodgers in my mind, would be thrilled with the idea of going to Los Angeles, and the Rams could probably get him at a lower cost than it would be for Matthew Stafford. They’d get draft pick compensation back for Stafford, so you could see where the Rams would say, ‘Is that a more desirable alternative?’” Schefter said on “The Adam Schefter Podcast” Tuesday.
Once Stafford and the Rams' situation is figured out, then “the quarterback dominos (start) falling, the quarterback carousel (starts) turning, and Aaron Rodgers to me would come into play in L.A.,” he added.
Where will Zach Wilson play in 2025?
After spending one season with the Denver Broncos, Wilson is an unrestricted free agent.
He was the third-string quarterback behind rookie starter Bo Nix and backup Jarrett Stidham and wasn’t active for any games last season.
Wilson’s possible landing spots are even murkier than Rodgers', with several teams potentially being open to changing up their backup quarterback situation.
After Darnold’s unexpected success in Minnesota last season, more teams could be willing to take a flyer on Wilson in hopes he could become a starter again.
Both Darnold and Wilson were top three overall picks by the Jets who were labeled as “busts” early in their career. Darnold was able to change his narrative this season as he led the Vikings to the playoffs and was named to the Pro Bowl.