The Los Angeles Rams have been heavily tied in NFL trade rumors this offseason to edge rusher Brian Burns. However, there’s another young player on the trade market who could potentially be on the radar of head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead.
After making the playoffs in 2023, Los Angeles is widely expected to be fairly aggressive this offseason in improving its roster. There’s a strong desire to win now in the final years of Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald playing at an elite level, which is fueling speculation that some of the Rams draft picks in 2024 could be used to acquire win-now talent.
Related: Best NFL players of all time
- Los Angeles Rams cap space 2024: 440.873 million
However, McVay and Snead still have to think about the future. For an organization that always stays active in the trade market and is exploring buy-low opportunities, there is one out there that the team could pursue this offseason.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft quarterback rankings
ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler named the Jets as one of the “intriguing options” who could pursue a trade for New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.
Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, received permission from Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas to seek out a trade. While the young quarterback is still sorting through his options with the help of his agent, Fowler writes that Wilson “is looking for a skilled offensive head coach and a place to revive his career.”
Related: NFL reporter suggests Los Angeles Rams could pursue sign-and-trade for star
McVay would be the perfect coach to work with Wilson. Unlike Kyle Shanahan, with the San Francisco 49ers also named as a potential suitor, McVay offers a more relaxed coaching style that could benefit a young quarterback who just spent years under Shanahan’s disciple Robert Saleh.
- Zach Wilson career stats: 6,293 passing yards, 23-25 TD-INT, 73.2 QB rating, 6.3 ypa
Related: Biggest NFL Draft busts of all time
If he was traded to Los Angeles, Wilson could spend the 2024 season learning from McVay and Matthew Stafford. With significant uncertainty regarding Stetson Bennett’s NFL future, Wilson could be the new dart throw for the Rams’ organization to see if he could develop into a long-term starter.
The Rams would also have first-hand knowledge of Wilson as a worker and player thanks to offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who previously held the same role with the Jets. As for the potential cost of acquiring Wilson, Los Angeles would likely have to sacrifice nothing more than a seventh-round pick.
