The Jets have reported to training camp to prepare for the upcoming season, but arguably the team’s most important piece is on the other side of the country.
Zach Wilson, the second overall pick and New York’s latest hopeful franchise savior, remains one of just three first-round draft picks that are still unsigned, and while the rest of his team reported to training camp on Tuesday, Wilson posted a photo to his Instagram on Monday of a football field in California, where he is likely working with his quarterback coach John Beck.
Wednesday is the first practice for the Jets to begin training camp, so Wilson could sign a deal and still make it in time to not miss any time on the field, but there reportedly being no signs of a deal being close, Wilson will likely be playing from behind whenever he signs his rookie deal.
“From a rookie standpoint you need as many reps as you can…it’s something he’ll have to navigate through,” head coach Robert Saleh said of Wilson. “I have a lot of faith in Zach too. He’s incredibly intelligent, he has tremendous drive, so when he does get here, I know somehow, some way he'll make up for it.”
Wilson’s rookie deal would include four years and just over $35 million, fully guaranteed. There is also a signing bonus of $22.9 million, and as is the case with first-round picks, there would be a team option for a fifth year. Those contracts are non-negotiable, but other parts of the contract could be behind a potential standoff, like money that would offset if Wilson were to be cut in the future. The Jets would want Wilson’s money to offset in that hypothetical scenario, while Wilson would likely clamor for the full salary, plus whatever he would make if he were to sign with another team, rather than New York paying only the difference.
Trevor Lawrence has no offsets in his contract with the Jaguars.
Sam Darnold missed the first three practices of training camp shortly after he was drafted third overall in 2018 due to contract negotiations, and the Jets, now with a new front office led by Joe Douglas, hope this won’t be history repeated.
“This is business, and Joe’s got a great handle on everything,” Saleh said. “When it gets done, it gets done.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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