Based on talent, there should be interest, however . . .

Orlando – Here is the issue.

The Jets are trying to trade Zach Wilson.

That is no secret.

But nothing has come to pass yet.

On March 16, the Chicago Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional sixth-round pick.

So considering Wilson has a better record as a starter with a 12-21-1, compared to Fields, who is 10-28, you would figure the Jets could get at least a sixth-round pick for Wilson.

Here is the problem:

It’s perception.

Maybe, it’s reality, but to fair, I will call it perception.

Some in the league don’t think Wilson loves football.

Now, I can’t verify that. I’m not his heart, but that is the feeling in some circles.

Also, his attitude has been questioned by some, especially after that story where a Jets media partner asked him about letting the defense down after a loss in New England, and he said, “No.”

That turned into a PR disaster and Wilson hasn’t totally recovered from the reputation hit.

I personally didn’t really get up and arms about Wilson said, as many people did.

I’ve given you the backstory before. Wilson was in the press conference room for Robert Saleh’s press conference before him in Foxboro. The coach was being peppered with questions about how bad Wilson played at Gillette Stadium that day. Wilson heard every question and every answer. He perhaps shouldn’t have been in the room, but that wasn’t his choice.

So he took the podium with steam coming out of his ears.

And then, a reporter, he doesn’t like, asked the question that provoked him, and he perhaps gave an immature answer, but too much was probably made of the answer.

I remember the day after, Bill Polian said on SiriusXM that answer wasn’t a big deal.

But you just get the sense that if Wilson had spent three years with the Jets, and had a reputation as a grinder who loves football, somebody would take a flyer on him, considering his amazing arm talent, and quick feet to escape pressure and make plays off schedule.

However, since some around the league wonder about his love of football, and some question his attitude, it might be hard to trade him.

And Woody Johnson saying the Jets didn’t have a backup QB last year didn’t help either.

The owner is walking that back now, but that quote perhaps hasn’t help trade talks.

Now, we could still see send an extra sixth or seventh round acquired as a compensatory pick, to the Jets for the player.

When a team lands a bunch of compensatory late-round picks, they don’t mind spending them to take a flyer on a player with a lot of talent.

But Wilson’s camp needs to work behind the scenes to convince potential suitors that Wilson loves playing football as much as Page Six.

That isn’t meant to be a cheap shot, I’m just talking about the perception out there, which might not be totally accurate.

But perceptions can be very damaging in life. We all know that.

So to me, the problem with the trade isn’t just based on performance. Yes, there are questions about his ability to read defenses, but a lot of young QBs who are getting second and third chances, have that stigma. Those QBs are getting second and third chances because of their arm talent.

We know Wilson gets high marks in that area.

The problem is Wilson’s reputation now, fair or unfair.

And he and his agent have to try to fix that.

March 25, 2024

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