Schultz: 5 QB options for the Jets as sun sets on Zach Wilson era

Multiple league sources - both executives and scouts - believe quarterback Zach Wilson has played his final game with the Jets, losers of four straight. Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft, has struggled mightily this season, completing under 55% of his passes with six scores and seven picks.

All is not lost for the 7-8 Jets, though. Their roster is very talented and very young, and Wilson - only 23 years old - can still command draft capital, perhaps multiple picks or a Day 2 selection. Here are five possible solutions for Gang Green at quarterback in 2023 and perhaps beyond.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Here's the good news: Jimmy G has previously worked with Robert Saleh, whose offense is similar to the Niners'. Garoppolo doesn't have the highest ceiling, but you're hard-pressed to find someone with a higher floor. A cheaper option with legitimate playoff experience, Garoppolo would instantly provide stability to an offense full of talented playmakers. We've seen him have success with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk; why couldn't he replicate that with uber-talented youngsters like Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore? "He's probably the safest option for them," a scout told me. "Safe isn't a bad thing. It's not sexy, but it's not bad, either."

Derek Carr

Carr will be linked to several teams this offseason, as sources tell me the Raiders are likely to cut or trade the three-time Pro Bowler. Money is always a factor, and while Carr is soon to be owed over $40 million from Mark Davis, the Raiders will save $29.25 million in 2023 salary cap space if they trade or cut him. So, the Jets could sweep in for cheap and lock him in at a significant discount. Carr's not without his flaws, but at 31 years old, he's still more than capable of winning games and putting up big numbers. "To me, Carr's the best, most realistic option for them," the scout told me.

Lamar Jackson

This would be the ultimate boon for general manager Joe Douglas. Jackson's a former league MVP and only 25 years old. In essence, Big Truss gives you a top option for the foreseeable future instead of merely a Band-Aid. New York would be in contention right away, and Douglas could continue to build his roster inside out via the draft. I'm still not sure Baltimore would part ways with Jackson, but given how contract talks have broken down, it's not out of the realm of possibility, either. "Lamar's frustrated with them, and they're frustrated with Lamar," a former NFL executive told me. "I'm not sure the Jets are the best option for him, but nothing would really surprise me. If the Ravens wanted to move on, I wouldn't be that surprised."

Geno Smith

Smith has earned himself a massive contract after a brilliant season in Seattle and his first Pro Bowl selection. While I'm told the Seahawks want to bring him back, a reunion in New York would make for a hell of a story. Smith, the only signal-caller in the league to amass a 100 QBR in nine games this season, is 32 years old, but he's barely played football over the last eight campaigns. That means eight years of not being hit and battered. That means a fresh quarterback. "Someone's going to pay him a lot of money," the scout told me. "Pete (Carroll) and John (Schneider) are gonna try and sign him for cheap, but that's not gonna work. He's gonna hit $100 million, probably more. If the Jets had him this year, with how good he's played, they're an 11-12-win team."

Gardner Minshew

Arguably the best backup passer in the league, Minshew - the former sixth-round draft pick and current No. 2 to Jalen Hurts in Philly - has been successful pretty much whenever he's been on the field. He boasts healthy numbers, including a 63% completion percentage with 43 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Only 27, he's still young enough to develop into a legit starting passer in the rugged AFC East. I asked the retired executive about the former Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner: "He's good enough to win you games, but he can lose you games, too. Honestly, I haven't really seen enough of him, but he moves well, he throws it pretty well. I wouldn't hate that move for them."

Jordan Schultz is theScore's NFL insider and senior NBA reporter. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

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