New York Jets: Zach Wilson surrounded by weapons with Crowder staying

The New York Jets retained Jamison Crowder for 2021 amid trade speculation, which gives rookie Zach Wilson a full host of weapons.

Regardless of your thoughts on Sam Darnold as a quarterback prospect, no argument can be made to the contrary of the fact that the New York Jets didn’t put the USC product in the best position to succeed and develop. And with the latest news regarding wide receiver Jamison Crowder, it’s even clearer that general manager Joe Douglas doesn’t want to repeat that with Zach Wilson.

After free agency and the draft brought an influx of wide receiver talent, there were rumblings that the Jets could potentially move on from Crowder via trade or his release. But this week, New York worked out a deal with the veteran who has been the team’s most reliable pass-catcher in recent years.

As reported by NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Jets will keep Crowder for the 2021 season but will allow him to hit the market next offseason. All told, that should be a win-win for the 28-year-old receiver looking for another big payday and the franchise trying to keep a strong group intact.

Now that Crowder returns, though, it’s hard not to look at Wilson and think about what a solid situation he’s walking into — especially when that’s contrasted by what Darnold was thrust into.

Zach Wilson is already in a better spot than Sam Darnold perhaps ever was with the New York Jets.

This isn’t about Darnold and the past but, rather, something to highlight the investment the Jets are making in Wilson. Yes, they obviously used the No. 2 overall pick on the former BYU quarterback but they are putting pieces around him to try and ensure the success of a player they’re banking on the be a franchise player.

In the 2021 offseason alone, the Jets have added wide receivers Corey Davis and Keelan Cole via free agency and then drafted Elijah Moore in the second round. That comes after they used a second-round pick on Denzel Mims the previous year. And now New York made a concerted effort to keep Crowder as well.

That wide receiver room, bar none, is the best the Jets have seen in easily the last five years, if not more. Wilson will have a plethora of weapons at his disposal and, with the similarities between Crowder and Moore, there is also a transition plan when the retained veteran likely moves on next spring.

Furthermore, the Jets have also invested further in the offensive line, using their second pick of the first round on USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. While New York may not be completely finished building in the trenches, a core of Vera-Tucker and Mekhi Becton is something Wilson can feel confident dropping back behind.

Zach Wilson may not win Offensive Rookie of the Year for the New York Jets. The team also may not be great in the 2021 season. But investing in Wilson is part of a long-term plan and the new regime in the Big Apple is clearly focused on not making the same mistakes with their quarterback that they did with his predecessor.