Quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, signed his rookie contract with the New York Jets on Thursday.
Wilson’s deal is fully guaranteed and projected to be worth $35.1 million over four years, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal reportedly also includes a $22.9 million signing bonus.
Finally.
Offset language in the 21-year old’s contract was believed to be the root of the holdout which cost him the first two practices of training camp. Brian Costello of the New York Post writes a compromised was reached between both sides. The Jets get to keep the offset language in the contract. Wilson, meanwhile, gets his signing bonus paid within 15 days.
Offset language, as mentioned in yesterday’s piece on the Wilson holdout, is a clause that allows teams to reduce what they owe a player they cut if he’s signed by another team.
Wilson was the last pick of the draft to sign his contract, he’s expected to practice on Friday
Wilson was selected by the Jets with the number two pick in this year’s draft. He excelled in his junior year at BYU and his performance elevated him into a top NFL prospect. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence went first overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jets are hopeful they’ve finally found the quarterback that will lead them back into the playoffs. After a 2-14 season in 2020, the team traded 2018 No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. The trade confirmed their intentions to make Wilson the new face of their franchise.
Wilson is expected to start week 1 of the regular season. The Jets are ready turn the keys over to him. Now that the paperwork is out of the way, it’s time to play ball and see what he’s got.
Image: Bill Kostroun
