The New York Jets are facing a tough season ahead in 2022.
They have Zach Wilson as the starting quarterback after a rookie season that was filled with disappointment.
With him at the helm again, some can’t help but feel that he’s the next Sam Darnold of New York.
However, that is due in part to high expectations for him in an AFC East that’s stacked.
But regardless of how well the division is, the team and fans won’t accept failure.
That’s why a bad 2022 for him could see him on the Darnold track.
Would The Jets Trade Wilson If He Flops This Season?
While the first stop on the Darnold track is having poor play each year, the last stop is a one-way ticket out of New York.
However, would the Jets be so careless as to do this again to another young quarterback?
To see how the Jets would address the Wilson situation, we need to go back in time.
"If the Jets didn't have the 2nd overall pick, they would not have traded Sam Darnold." – @AdamSchefter
"If the Jets would've been number 3, or 4 or 5. They would've kept Darnold."
Notes that the #Jets feel strongly about Zach Wilson, and that is the only reason for the trade. pic.twitter.com/axmYLDN0bM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 6, 2021
With the 2023 NFL Draft set to have a great quarterback class, they could flip on Wilson.
But it would require them to have the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With them only trading Darnold because of the spot they were in with their draft pick, it could happen again.
So if Wilson tanks this season, and the Jets get the number one pick, it might be the Darnold situation all over again.
Jets Care More About Who They Can Get Than Helping Who They Have
With their previous quarterback, it was all about who they could get to replace him.
Instead of working with him, or getting him top-tier receivers, they desired to replace him with a new quarterback.
Agree with Steve Young. I wouldn’t wanna play with the Jets. They’ve set Sam Darnold up to fail. Dude has no help. Why would you think Trevor would be any different
— Rio (@Super_Rio8896) November 10, 2020
The team set him up for failure, something they might do with Wilson in 2022.
Getting him protection and receivers should have been a priority for New York in 2022.
However, they missed out on Tyreek Hill and haven’t tried trading for any other top receiver that was available.
Their draft picks weren’t much better for the offense in New York.
With three first-round picks, and plenty of needs on offense, two of those picks were defensive players.
They only got one receiver, Garrett Wilson, in the first round and waited until the fourth round to pick a lineman.
While both players should become starters in 2022, it isn’t enough help for Wilson.
2022 Is A Make Or Break Moment For Wilson
The Jets were sold on the young quarterback because of the pick they had in 2021.
However, that feeling of trust in the quarterback can quickly change.
But it would require him to do even worse this season for that change to happen.
That’s what makes 2022 a make-or-break moment for him.
If he fails with the limited help he’s given, the Jets could easily have second thoughts on him.
But that failure would have to land the Jets with the worst record in the NFL to break him.
However, if he can make something of this season with those weapons, it would help make him better in New York.
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