Could the New York Jets pull off a trade for a top-10 quarterback in 2023?

The New York Jets might have an opportunity to add an elite passer in 2023
Minnesota Vikings v Philadelphia Eagles
Minnesota Vikings v Philadelphia Eagles / Mitchell Leff/GettyImages
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If Zach Wilson cannot show that he can hold the ship steady for the New York Jets, this hypothetical trade could send a top NFC QB to New York. As of now, there has been nothing to indicate that this could happen, but I think you can put the pieces together pretty easily for this hypothetical trade to come true. If it were to happen, I think the Jets could become quite dangerous.

QB Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles in Week 1, and the Jets' QB is set to miss the entire 2023 NFL season after just four plays. It's a huge blow for NY, who somehow managed to still win the game on a walk-off punt return touchdown. The Jets threw themselves all-in for this year with the acquisition of Rodgers, and now their season seems to be hinging on Zach Wilson, who is, by most metrics, the worst starting QB in the NFL.

I truly do not believe Zach Wilson is going to be good enough to keep this Jets' team steady, and I anticipate Jets' GM Joe Douglas continuing to sniff around the QB market to see if something can materialize. Well, this morning, I had thought of a hypothetical trade that could put the Jets right back in the thick of the AFC playoff race, and if it were to happen, it could be bad news for the New England Patriots.

The Minnesota Vikings are already 0-2 on the 2023 NFL season after losing just four games last year. I think a lot of us thought that season was a bit of a fluke, as Minnesota won literally every one of their one-score games. Well, this year, they've dropped games to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings, and even with two straight losses to open up the season, QB Kirk Cousins has been remarkably efficient.

Keep in mind, there is a newer regime in town in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who is their GM, and a new coaching staff led by Kevin O'Connell. It was the previous regime that brought Cousins to the Vikings back in 2018. At some point, Adofo-Mensah is going to need to do more of a teardown with this roster and take a big shot on a QB. That's just how it goes in the NFL. Cousins is 35 years old and has just one year left on his deal, so he'll be a free agent in 2024.

Just think, if the Vikings aren't really playing at the level that a postseason team would, a scenario where Kirk Cousins gets traded by the trade deadline just makes a lot of sense to me. And right now, the team that would make the most sense just happens to be the New York Jets. NY still has cap space and might have a huge need for someone like Cousins if Zach Wilson were to not play the way he needs to.

Kirk Cousins has been incredibly efficient and consistent during his career, and already in 2023, he's got 708 yards, six touchdowns, and a passer rating of 114.2. He's played two good defenses in Tampa and Philadelphia thus far, so his efficiency is that much more impressive.

Should the Patriots be concerned about this possibility?