New York Jets, Zach Wilson Reach Compromise As He Signs $35. 1 Million Rookie Contract

The New York Jets did the same dance with Zach Wilson that they did with Sam Darnold. And it ended the same way. 

Now they hope they have better luck with Wilson on the field. 

After Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick from Brigham Young, missed the first two practices of training camp, the two sides finally agreed to terms on a contract, according to multiple reports. The compromise, according to the reports, is that the Jets got their offset language, meaning they will not be responsible for guaranteed money if Wilson is waived before the end of his four-year, $35.15 million contract. His new team would have to pick up that tab.

Wilson, meanwhile, will receive all of his $22.9 million signing bonus within 15 days.  

This is exactly how the contract impasse between the Jets and Wilson’s predecessor, Sam Darnold, was resolved in 2018. Darnold wound up missing three training-camp practices as a rookie before finally taking the field. Wilson is on his way to New Jersey and will have to take a physical before he can join practice. It is unclear if he will be able to practice Friday. 

The Jets then will have a practice with fans in attendance Saturday before an off day Sunday.

Darnold wasn’t everything New York had hoped for in a quarterback, although not all of it was his fault. But that is all in the past. All eyes now are on Wilson, who soon can begin taking snaps as the presumed No. 1 quarterback after fifth-year player Mike White had been getting those for the past two days.  

Wilson was the final unsigned first-round pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.  

It is believed that 30 of 32 NFL teams require offset language in their contracts, with only Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Rams not doing so. The Jaguars reportedly have no offset language in their contract with top overall pick Trevor Lawrence, formerly of Clemson, and they also gave him his bonus money withing 15 days of the signing date.  

 Former Ohio State star QB Justin Fields, selected by Chicago at No. 11, reportedly has partial offset language in his deal.

Despite all the hassle the Jets went through in securing the offset language in Darnold’s contract, it ultimately didn’t matter even though he did not make it to the end of his rookie contract with the Jets. That’s because rather than cutting him outright, they were able to find a trade partner in Carolina, and the offset does not come into play when the player is traded. The Panthers are picking up the rest of Darnold’s guaranteed money.