It is a crisp Sunday morning at MetLife Stadium. You’re walking through the parking lot, the smell of charcoal and cheap beer heavy in the air, and you see it. The Gotham Green mesh. The bold white "2" staring back at you.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a jump scare.
In 2026, seeing a Zach Wilson Jets jersey in the wild feels like spotting a glitch in the matrix or a relic from a forgotten civilization. It’s been years since he was the "Mormon Mahomes," the savior who was supposed to end the Jets' decades-long quest for a franchise quarterback. Instead, he became a cautionary tale of draft hype gone wrong.
But here’s the thing: people are still buying them. They’re still wearing them. And if you check eBay or any clearance rack at a Marshalls in North Jersey, the market for this specific piece of sports history is weirdly alive.
The Rise and Sudden Stall of the #2
When the Jets took Zach Wilson second overall in 2021, the hype was basically uncontainable. I remember the pro day throw. You know the one—rolling left, flicking a 60-yard dime off-platform. It was enough to make even the most cynical Jets fan believe.
Jersey sales reflected that insanity.
During his rookie year, Wilson’s jersey was a top-50 seller across the entire NFL. Fans weren't just hopeful; they were committed. They bought the expensive "Vapor Limited" versions with the stitched numbers. They bought the kids' sizes. They even bought those neon-accented alternate jerseys that the team eventually moved away from.
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Then, reality hit. Hard.
The stats were, well, brutal. A 12-21 record as a starter. More interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23). He went from being the face of the franchise to being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2024 for a late-round pick swap. By the time he landed with the Miami Dolphins on a $6 million deal in 2025, the Zach Wilson Jets jersey had transitioned from a badge of honor to a punchline.
Why You Still See These Jerseys Everywhere
You’d think every #2 jersey would have been burned or buried by now. But there are three very real reasons why they persist in 2026.
1. The "Garrett Wilson" Life Hack
This is the most practical reason. The Jets drafted another Wilson—Garrett—in 2022. While Garrett eventually switched to #5 to honor his college days, for a significant window, he wore #17. However, many fans who were strapped for cash simply took a seam ripper to the "ZACH" on the back or used duct tape to "fix" their old jerseys.
It’s the ultimate frugal fan move. Why spend $130 on a new Garrett Wilson jersey when you have a perfectly good "Wilson" nameplate sitting in your closet?
2. The Clearance Rack Phenomenon
Retailers like Fanatics and NFL Shop don't just delete inventory when a player gets traded. They slash prices. At one point, you could find an authentic Zach Wilson Jets jersey for under $20.
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For a parent who just wants their kid to have something to wear to a game, or a fan who needs a "beater" jersey for a messy tailgate, a twenty-dollar jersey is a steal, regardless of whose name is on the back. It’s basically the "white t-shirt" of the NFL world—cheap, functional, and disposable.
3. Irony and the "Bust" Aesthetic
Sports culture has a weird sense of humor. There is a whole subculture of fans who collect jerseys of legendary busts. Wearing a Zach Wilson jersey in 2026 is a statement. It says, "I survived the 2021-2023 era." It’s a piece of kitsch, much like wearing a JaMarcus Russell or a Ryan Leaf jersey.
The Collectibility Factor (Wait, Seriously?)
Believe it or not, there is a tiny, niche market for the high-end versions of this jersey.
In 2024, the Jets launched their "Legacy Collection," returning to the classic "Sack Exchange" look from the 80s. Because Wilson was still on the roster for a hot minute during that transition, there are a handful of these 2024-style jerseys floating around with his name on them.
Collectors of "transitional" gear find these fascinating. They represent a specific, awkward moment in team history.
On sites like eBay, you’ll find:
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- Game-Worn Items: These can still fetch a few hundred dollars from BYU completionists or Jets historians.
- Autographed "Pro Line" Jerseys: These have actually dipped in value, often selling for less than the cost of the jersey itself.
- The "Cougar Hunter" Era Relics: Remember the 2022 offseason rumors? That weird spike in Wilson's popularity actually led to a surge in sales that makes certain jersey batches from that summer "historically significant" to meme-culture historians.
What to Do with Your Old Zach Wilson Jersey
If you’re staring at a #2 jersey in your closet and feeling a mix of regret and annoyance, you have options. You don't have to throw it away.
First, check the tag. If it’s an authentic "Elite" jersey with sewn-on numbers, it might be worth holding onto. NFL history is long, and in twenty years, that jersey will be a "throwback" that sparks conversations at bars.
Second, consider a nameplate swap. There are companies online that sell custom nameplates. You can turn that Zach Wilson jersey into a "Your Name" jersey or even a "Bad Luck" jersey if you want to lean into the misery of being a Jets fan.
Finally, if it’s just taking up space, donate it. There are plenty of international charities that take overstock sports apparel. Somewhere across the globe, there might be a kid who thinks Zach Wilson is a legendary hero because they own his jersey.
The Zach Wilson Jets jersey is more than just a piece of polyester. It’s a physical reminder of the "Great Expectations" that 2021 brought to New York and the sobering reality of the NFL quarterback grind. It’s a relic of a time when we all thought a flick of the wrist could change a franchise’s destiny.
If you’re looking to offload yours or—God forbid—buy one for the irony, check secondary markets like Poshmark or Mercari where prices have bottomed out. Just don't expect to see #2 back in the Jets' Ring of Honor anytime soon.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Inspect the Quality: If your jersey is a Nike Game (screen-printed) version, its resale value is likely under $25. If it’s a Limited or Elite (stitched), it may hold value for collectors of BYU memorabilia.
- Search for "New Old Stock": If you are a collector looking for the 2024 Legacy version, search specifically for "Zach Wilson Legacy Jersey" to find the rare crossover style.
- Repurposing: Use a seam ripper to remove the nameplate. A blank #2 jersey can be customized for roughly $30, giving you a "new" custom Jets jersey for a fraction of the retail price.