Jets’ top options to replace Zach Wilson in 2023 | Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Gardner Minshew, more
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The Jets have gotten a lot of things right this season. The fact that they are still fighting for a playoff spot and an above .500 record with two weeks remaining in the season proves that much.
But one thing that general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh clearly didn’t get right: the drafting and development of their quarterback, because Zach Wilson has been bad since Douglas picked him No. 2 overall last year and he hasn’t gotten better under the direction of Saleh and his staff.
It’s a big deal, especially considering Wilson’s poor play may end up costing the Jets a chance at the playoffs this year. But it’s also clear the Jets are closer to being a contender than they’ve been in a long time … if they can get the quarterback position fixed.
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So who would be some good options to stabilize the position in 2023? Here are some of the best choices.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers: A lot about this makes sense: Garoppolo has experience current Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur worked with Garoppolo in San Francisco on Mike Shanahan’s staff and Jets coach Robert Saleh is also familiar with him from his time in the bay. But Garoppolo has a concerning injury history – he’s yet again missing most of the season – and is likely to be expensive as he hits free agency this offseason. Given the Jets luck with injury it would be a massive risk to bring Garoppolo in as the starter in 2023.
Gardner Minshew, Eagles: The Jets and the rest of the NFL just got an up-close look at Minshew against the Cowboys last week, and Minshew could start again to end the season. He still knows what it takes to be effective in this league and Joe Douglas’ ties to the Eagles could help them get this deal done. There’s a strong argument that Minshew, soon to be 27, deserves another shot to start in this league with his career 63.0 completion percentage with 43 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Mike White, Jets: If the Jets win the next two games and White leads them to another win in the playoffs this whole conversation might be a moot point because White will deserve a serious look as the starter in 2023. White has already proven that he can run the offense better than any other quarterback on the Jets’ roster this year. But it has been a small sample size and durability has been an issue. A strong finish to the season, with White staying healthy, would go a long way toward making the most out of a remarkable opportunity for White.
Derek Carr, Raiders: The Raiders clearly plan to cut car after this season as they avoid playing him in the final few games. This creates an interesting opportunity for Joe Doulgas to perhaps land a talented player at a discount. Carr isn’t the perfect fit for the Jets’ offense, and he’s coming off a difficult season. But he’d immediately become one of the most talented and proven quarterbacks in team history the moment he put on a uniform. He could eb a siensibile pickup as the bridge to their next quarterback.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers: The last time the Jets signed a Packers legend at the end of his career they became immediate contenders before Brett Favre’s shoulder gave out at the end of the 2008 season. Rodgers seems like a safer bet at this point in his career – especially since he’ll be fully recovered from the thumb injury that he played through in 2022. But it would be massively expensive and there are questions about Rodgers’ ongoing commitment and attitude.
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Lamar Jackson, Ravens: It’s hard to imagine the Ravens actually letting Jackson become available, but if they do, this would be the ideal situation for the Jets. Jackson would be a perfect fit for their multi-threat offense, as they’d be able to spread the field and get the most out of Jackson’s considerable ability to run and throw. It would be worth giving up multiple first round picks as Jackson is continuing to improve as he enters his prime; he turns 26 in January.
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Andy Vasquez may be reached at avasquez@njadvancemedia.com.
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New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) and cornerback D.J. Reed (4) leave the field after they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 19-3, on Thursday, December 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J.
© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS