Report: Ryan, Wentz interested in joining Jets, who plan to stick with Wilson
Free-agent quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz have reached out to the New York Jets about potentially joining the team, reports Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.
However, New York plans to stick with Zach Wilson at the moment, Glazer adds.
The Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers in the offseason, but the four-time NFL MVP went down after tearing his left Achilles tendon just four snaps into Week 1. Rodgers' injury was a massive blow to a New York team that entered the 2023 season with Super Bowl aspirations.
The club originally announced that Rodgers was expected to miss the remainder of the season, but the 39-year-old recently said he won't rule out returning for a potential playoff run. He reportedly underwent an innovative surgery on his torn Achilles that could possibly get him back on the field faster than expected.
With Rodgers out, head coach Robert Saleh announced Wilson - the 2021 No. 2 overall pick who's struggled to meet expectations since entering the NFL - as the Jets' starter moving forward. Saleh also said that the team planned to add depth to the quarterback position but didn't specify when that would happen. Tim Boyle is the other QB on New York's roster.
Ryan, 38, played for the Indianapolis Colts last year after spending his first 14 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. The former NFL MVP finished the 2022 campaign with 14 touchdowns against 13 interceptions while posting a 4-7-1 record. Indianapolis acquired Ryan in a trade after a disappointing 2021 season with Wentz under center.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Ryan joined CBS Sports as an NFL analyst in May but said he wasn't retiring from football.
Meanwhile, Wentz battled inconsistent play and injuries in 2022 and started seven games for the Washington Commanders. He tossed 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions. The 30-year-old worked out in Los Angeles during the offseason but has yet to sign with a team in 2023.
Wilson helped the Jets edge the Buffalo Bills in their season opener after replacing Rodgers in the first quarter. He then completed 44% of his passes and tossed three interceptions in a 30-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.