Jets give Zach Wilson permission to seek trade

INDIANAPOLIS — Zach Wilson’s days as a Jet are officially numbered.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas has given Wilson’s agent permission to seek a trade. It was clear last season that the two sides would split up just three years after the Jets drafted Wilson with the second overall pick.

“I’ve had a good conversation with his agent, Brian Ayrault,” Douglas said Wednesday at the NFL Combine. “We’ve given them permission to talk to other teams about a trade. I’m going to circle back with Brian at some point either this week or next week just to see how those conversations go. Other than that, there’s nothing else to report.”

Something is expected to get done before the NFL Draft in late April. Wilson undoubtedly would like to play for an offensive-minded coach after spending his time with the Jets playing for defensive-minded Robert Saleh and for two different coordinators, Mike LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett.

The Jets may only get a Day 3 draft pick (rounds 4-7) for Wilson after what has been a rough and rocky three seasons.

Wilson was benched three times the past two seasons. He has thrown 23 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions in 34 games with the Jets. He was 13-21 as a starter.

The Jets hoped Wilson could learn and develop from watching Aaron Rodgers operate for a couple of seasons and then be ready to run the team. Everything changed when Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 1. Wilson took over and it was way more bumpy than smooth.

After starting 4-3, the Jets finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season. The offense’s inability to function and score touchdowns were main reasons for the collapse.

“We need a backup quarterback,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said during Super Bowl Week. “We didn’t have one last year.”

Now, the Jets are in the market for a proven veteran backup for the 40-year-old Rodgers. They don’t want a repeat of last year, especially with Douglas’ and Saleh’s jobs riding on the Jets having a winning season.

Some quarterbacks the Jets could pursue when free agency starts in two weeks include Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew.

“That’s part of the discussions that we’ve had,” Douglas said. “It’s an area that we’re going to be addressing moving forward.

“We’re still really early in the offseason especially when it comes to the backup landscape and market. We’ve had good meetings and good evaluations with the guys that are available. I think we’re ready to take the next step and see where the market is exactly with these backup quarterbacks.”

The Jets have several other areas they need to address, most notably the offensive line and wide receiver position. They’re currently $20 million under the cap. That number will increase as they release players and restructure contracts. They also have the No. 10 pick in the draft.

Douglas might be more aggressive than he’s ever been with so much at stake for him and Saleh. Johnson essentially put them on alert that the Jets have to win this season. Douglas is confident that his staff will find the right players to produce a winning season.

“I mirror the frustration that Woody has, and Woody and I talk just about every day,” Douglas said. “We’re certainly on the same page. I like the position we’re in. There’s a lot of talent coming back to this team. We have to add more to it. We know exactly what we have to do moving forward . . . I can tell you we’re not stressed. We’re prepared to answer the bell here with the decisions that have to be made moving forward.

“We haven’t won enough. That’s obvious. But weirdly enough I feel like the culture is in a really good place with the people that we have. We just have to go out and do it. It’s time to win. Everybody knows it. It’s time to put our heads down, work and win games.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.