Former NY Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum suggested on ESPN’s “Get Up” that the Jets should sign Russell Wilson, the longtime Seattle Seahawks quarterback, as their backup quarterback for a one-year, $1 million contract.
While Wilson is not a free agent yet, rumors suggest that he is unlikely to return to Denver next season.
.@RealTannenbaum wants to see Russell Wilson playing for the Jets 👀 pic.twitter.com/iMxbdgXHBy
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 19, 2024
Tannenbaum’s idea has been met with skepticism, as Wilson is not considered a logical fit for the Jets.
Despite the need for a veteran backup quarterback, Wilson would be signing with the Jets knowing that he would be the No. 2 option behind Aaron Rodgers, with little chance of becoming a starter unless there was an injury or setback.
Mike Tannenbaum wants to see Russell Wilson backing up Aaron Rodgers on the #Jets
The reaction by Bart Scott 💀
(h/t @GetUpESPN)pic.twitter.com/1rR2SWDeW0 https://t.co/A4vwSlgTRB
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 19, 2024
Furthermore, being Rodgers’ understudy for a full season may not improve Wilson’s value for free agency in 2025.
It is believed that Wilson can find a better opportunity than the Jets if he is released by the Broncos. Wilson had a difficult 2023 season with tension between him and head coach Sean Payton, and there were threats to bench him over a contract dispute.
Moving Wilson’s contract, which has five years and over $200 million remaining, would not be easy, but there are quarterback-needy teams that may be interested in him as a starter while they develop a younger quarterback from the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Jets, however, already have Aaron Rodgers returning, and they are looking for a veteran quarterback to backup Rodgers in case of another injury. The former second overall pick, Zach Wilson, who was supposed to learn from Rodgers last season, is likely on his way out of the organization.
Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum believes that the New York Jets should acquire Russell Wilson to be Aaron Rodgers’ backup.
Tannenbaum claims that Wilson and the Jets would be a perfect fit, citing his own experience with signing Vinny Testaverde, who led the Jets to the AFC Championship game after being cut by the Baltimore Ravens.
Dan Graziano was incredulous over Mike Tannenbaum's suggestion that Russell Wilson could be backing up Aaron Rodgers on the New York Jets next season. That led to Bart Scott checking his coffee mug as well. pic.twitter.com/TOOPiqfjPk
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 19, 2024
Tannenbaum argues that Wilson, at 35 years old, needs to resurrect his career and sitting behind Rodgers for a year would be beneficial for him.
The Jets are in need of a competent backup quarterback after Rodgers’ season-ending injury, and Tannenbaum’s suggestion of Wilson as a backup sparked controversy among his fellow colleagues.
However, some argue that Wilson is rumored to be a starting quarterback candidate for teams like the Falcons, Vikings, Steelers, and Raiders.
Additionally, Wilson’s potential reunion with former Broncos head coach and current Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is considered uncomfortable due to their previous disagreements resulting in Hackett’s firing.
It is also noted that the Broncos cutting Wilson would result in a significant dead cap hit for them, making it unlikely.
Tannenbaum’s comparison to signing Testaverde in the late 90s is dismissed as irrelevant to the current situation, where Wilson would be sitting behind Rodgers rather than competing for a starting job.
Furthermore, Tannenbaum’s suggestion of a one-year, $1 million contract for Wilson is deemed unrealistic, as most NFL quarterbacks earn significantly more than that. Despite his struggles in the 2022 season, Wilson is still regarded as a solid starting quarterback.
The New York Jets are looking to sign a veteran backup quarterback to avoid a repeat of last season’s mistake when they relied solely on Aaron Rodgers without a backup plan. Unfortunately, rumors suggesting Russell Wilson as their backup don’t make sense.
Last season, the Jets had high hopes of contending for a Super Bowl, but Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury just four plays into the season.
The team struggled to recover, with Wilson and Tim Boyle attempting to lead the team. Wilson had a mediocre record of 4-7 as a starter, throwing for 2,271 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. It is expected that the Jets will trade or release Wilson soon.
Team owner Woody Johnson expressed frustration at the lack of a backup plan during the NFL Honors event, emphasizing the need to deploy the team’s talent properly.
He acknowledged the importance of having a backup quarterback, admitting that the team didn’t have one last year.
Wilson, who was selected as the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has faced criticism throughout his career. The Jets had initially acquired Rodgers in an offseason trade with the Green Bay Packers, shifting their focus from making the playoffs to pursuing Super Bowl aspirations.
However, Rodgers’ season was cut short due to a leg injury, leaving the Jets back at square one.
Fans reacted as follows.
Russ should either go to ATL or Las Vegas
— Di$neyBeachLV (@Disneybeachlv) February 19, 2024
The @Giants are a better fit. plus if they have a mediocre season this upcoming year I can see Belichick making his comeback where it all started
— Mike Rush (@MichaelPRush1) February 19, 2024
Lol I’m here for that, but I think this is the moment when @RealTannenbaum came to terms that he will never be an NFL Gm Again and really leaned into the world of sports talk sensationalism. #finsup
— N Armenteros (@bigfinfan) February 19, 2024
And he wonders why he’s sitting at that table and not in the front office. That makes absolutely no sense. The best landing spot for Russell Wilson, where he can win right now is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
— Mizter Perfect (@TheMarcusGraham) February 19, 2024
Sheeshhh, @RealTannenbaum with another horrendous idea. Haha super nice dude from what we can all see on TV. He just has some whacky ideas sometimes.
— B-Wes (@MagicMan331) February 19, 2024
The Steelers have one of the best front offices in the league with one of the most respected coaches in all of sports. A good 1-2 punch at RB, a good young TE and a top 5 defense. Add 1-2 WRs and they’re ready to go. They were a QB away all season long.
— Mizter Perfect (@TheMarcusGraham) February 19, 2024
They letting anyone with a pulse get on these talk shows
— dustin (@DJ_DoesSports) February 19, 2024
Tannenbaum is the worst
— Patrick J (@RonaynePga) February 19, 2024
Jets backup should be Gardner Minshew or Mason Rudolph.
— John Frascella (Football) (@LegendSports7) February 19, 2024
If the #Broncos do not re-sign Wilson, which they 💯 should, the #Jets should absof’knlutely attempt to get Wilson. Have both Wilson’s on the team and dump the coaching staff. LFGJ!
— CoreKo (@CoreKo4) February 19, 2024
Lmao. Why wld Russ settle for backup after last season. He has declined some, but still better than several other starting qb’s.
— Jugo (@JGould21) February 19, 2024
Probably the only two teams that make sense for Wilson is the Steelers or Vikings.
— Brandon Reese (@reesebrandon06) February 19, 2024
Why/how he’s still employed by anyone baffles me
— Javon Edmonds (@javonedmonds45) February 19, 2024
@RealTannenbaum is doing exactly what he’s supposed to be doing- releasing this to social media for a reaction!
— Chris (@Chris441108) February 19, 2024
Mike Tannenbaum was bad as a GM and he is somehow worse on tv. He must have pictures of someone. LOL
— Juan Izquierdo Jr. (@juanmets) February 19, 2024
Just cause u used to be a GM doesn't mean u have the skills to be an analyst.. sounds like Mike went to the Jerry Jones school of football.
— ZBird (@zthunder25) February 19, 2024
This is the same guy that gave Mark Sanchez an extension and then traded for Tim Tebow
— Sal Frucci (@SalFrucci) February 19, 2024
That won’t work, the Jets will pay Wilson peanuts and may cause a locker room dissension. Sad to say, once released Russell Wilson’s NFL career will be over
— Dan10017 (@dan10017) February 19, 2024
Tannenbaum needs to get his numbers right: Aaron Rogers is 40 years old with a starting job. Russell Wilson is 35.
— Kat (@jamamizo) February 19, 2024
Tannenbaum has been the undisputed king of bad takes for years now. Crazy thing is, they're not even halfway interesting click-baity takes, they just don't make sense
— TME (@Talal_TME) February 19, 2024
