When the Jets deigned to win a few games at the end of the 2020 campaign to withdraw from the race by signal caller Clemson Trevor Lawrence, their preliminary plans suddenly became very uncertain. There was still a lot of speculation connecting them to QB consolation awards like BYU Zach Wilson or the state of Ohio Justin Fields, but a low exchange, a top receiver (LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase), or a higher LT (from Oregon Penei Sewell) have also become distinct possibilities.
Over the off-season, however, it seemed more and more likely that the Jets would catch Wilson. And according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, it’s Wilson’s “job” to lose (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini at Twitter) Wilson’s professional day is tomorrow and, assuming everything goes well, it looks like he is destined to become the Jets’ next hope for a franchise quarterback.
Of course, that leaves the third overall choice of the 2018 draft, Sam Darnold, in a strange position. Some of the Jets’ theoretical business partners for Darnold may no longer be viable landing points, and while New York could theoretically keep Darnold and have him and Wilson battling for the initial show, Gang Green would obviously prefer to acquire some Darnold draft capital if he is delivering. the second general choice for Wilson.
To be worthwhile, new acquisition Corey Davis said that when he signed with the Jets, he had the impression that Darnold would be the team’s caller. Of course, that doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it is still remarkable that a great free agent was comfortable enough with Darnold to pull his cart to QB in trouble.
Wilson was tremendous in his last high school season, playing for 33 TDs against just three choices, and he added 10 TDs running for good measure. This display catapulted him beyond Fields in the eyes of many scholars, and it seems that the Jets think the same way.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.