Zach Wilson, NY Jets, Russell Wilson, Trade
Zach Wilson, New York Jets, Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, Getty Images

Chris Simms brings up an interesting proposal

On his show “Unbuttoned With Chris Simms”, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms delved into an interesting question from a fan: “Zach Wilson for Russell Wilson straight-up, who says no?”

Simms shocked many by taking the New York Jets as the team who says no.

“Honestly, I’m gonna say the Jets say no,” Simms said. “Zach Wilson to me has shown enough talent and, like, physical great ability already. Don’t look at the stats or the win-losses. Look at some of the things he’s done throughout the year and I say, ‘Wow.’ … (The Jets) are building something right now.”

Regarding the Seattle Seahawks’ Wilson, Simms said, “Russell Wilson? Hey, listen, I got a few questions about his game after this year. One, he doesn’t look like he’s moving nearly as well, in fact Zach Wilson moves better than Russell Wilson. Zach Wilson’s arm has more power than Russell Wilson’s. And Russell Wilson, you know, at times has problems throwing the ball down the middle of the field.

“I would stand pat if I’m the Jets,” Simms concluded.

Personally, I have to wholeheartedly disagree with Simms here. If the Jets passed on the opportunity to trade Zach for Russell straight-up, it would be downright foolish, and the same would be true regarding the Seahawks if they decided to trade Russell for Zach with no additional compensation.

Jet X Offseason Tool 2023 4

It comes down to this simple truth for me: Zach Wilson might be a great quarterback one day, while Russell Wilson is a great quarterback.

Sure, there are legitimate concerns about Russell’s future trajectory after a production decline this season, and his contract situation is also a question mark.

But at 33 years old with a Hall-of-Fame resume, he should still have at least three or four years of great football left in him. Most quarterbacks of Russell’s talent level do not fall off until their late thirties.

Say what you want about the season Russell and the Seahawks had, but he is still one of the best quarterbacks in football. He’s seventh in the league in yards per attempt (7.6), ninth in passer rating (99.4), and has the fourth-lowest interception rate (1.4%).

Prior to Russell’s finger injury in Week 5, he was playing some of the best football of his career. Through five weeks, Russell led the NFL in passer rating (125.3), yards per attempt (9.6), and touchdown-to-interception ratio (10-to-1). It is only since rushing back from finger surgery that Russell’s numbers have dipped, so he should have a good chance of getting back to normal next year with a whole offseason to fully recover.

The Jets can only hope and pray that Zach proves capable of posting those numbers at some point down the line.

If I were Joe Douglas and Seattle started asking the Jets to throw in premium draft picks alongside Zach in a deal for Russell, then I would tell Pete Carroll to take a hike. Considering the signs of decline from Russell this year, I don’t think he is worth mortgaging the future for. There is a chance he may now only be a “very good” quarterback rather than the MVP candidate he once was.

Meanwhile, Zach does have the potential to become an MVP-caliber type of quarterback in the future, especially considering his recent progress.

With all of that being said, a straight-up deal is not one I could decline. It would be silly to pass up on a quarterback who is sure to be at least “very good” (even if Russell’s “elite” status might be in question) in exchange for a quarterback you hope can be “very good”. That’s just my opinion on it.

This whole conversation is moot, though. There is no way that the Seahawks are trading the best player in the history of their franchise without getting an enormous haul of draft compensation to kickstart the rebuilding process that will come in the wake of his exit.

What’s your take on this hypothetical? If you were the Jets, would you trade Zach Wilson for Russell Wilson straight-up? What do you think it would actually take to acquire Russell Wilson?

You know what – don’t even answer those. This is a silly topic. Let’s just enjoy the ride with Zach Wilson and marvel at the talented kid’s rapid improvement over the past few weeks.

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Michael Nania is one of the best analytical New York Jets minds in the world, combining his statistical expertise with game film to add proper context to the data. Nania scrapes every corner, ensuring you know all there is to know about everyone from the QB to the long snapper. Nania's Numbers, Nania's QB Grades, and Nania's All-22 give fans a deeper and more well-rounded dive into the Jets than anyone else can offer. Email: michael.nania[at]jetsxfactor.com - Twitter: @Michael_Nania
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RustyZ
1 year ago

This would be a horrible trade for the Jets. At best, you have a few more years of Russell Wilson being very good and then you are back looking for another franchise QB. The Jets aren’t one player away from the Super bowl now and adding Russell Wilson’s contract will suck up enough cap space to prevent three other good players from being added.
Keep Zach and you have four more years of a first contract QB. You will be adding 4 top 40 picks, other good draft picks in round 3-4, and we have a healthy fund for free agents too!

Now if it was a trade for Deshaun Watson, who is 7 years younger than Russell Wilson, we’d have to listen but again we can’t give up the future for one player when we’re not one player away.

BigJetsFan1
1 year ago

How much to get Gino back? They’d have to give me a first and 2 3rds to take that guy back!

DHB
DHB
1 year ago

I’m a no too. We’d still need to build up the team around him and you’d have a good deal less cap space, and draft capital if it wasn’t a straight swap, to do that.

Psi
Psi
1 year ago

No.

Jets71
Jets71
1 year ago

Straight up has to be done. Period. They have enough draft capital they can have a Super Bowl opportunity with Wilson for probably a few years. They could also draft one of these guys this year and groom him. Think Aaron Rogers.