FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Zach Wilson welcomed the challenge. During the run-up to the 2021 draft, he knew all about the New York Jets’ suspect reputation with young quarterbacks. People in his own camp expressed serious reservations about him going to New York, sources with direct knowledge said, but Wilson told them he’d be able to overcome the franchise’s star-crossed history.

He was wrong about the Jets, and the Jets were wrong about him.

As expected, Wilson — the No. 2 pick that year — was traded after three disappointing seasons, landing with the Denver Broncos on Monday for a swap of sixth- and seventh-round picks. Now that he’s officially gone, ending a most regrettable chapter for the franchise, questions about the future arise: How can the Jets find a successor to 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers? Did they learn anything from the Wilson debacle that can be used to help the next young quarterback?

What to know for the 2024 NFL draft

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One difference, though: The Packers were set at quarterback with Brett Favre and, later, Rodgers, so their late-round fliers were low-risk investments. The Jets might need one of their picks to be their starter someday because the chances of finding a quality first-string quarterback in free agency are remote. If it falls apart with Rodgers, they will go into next year’s draft like the current Broncos and Best of NFL Nation

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