In a surprising turn of events, the NFL saw a trade unfold this Monday, involving the now former Jets quarterback, Zach Wilson, and the Denver Broncos. The trade, which included a pick swap deal, has brought Wilson to Denver.
The trade details revealed that Denver acquired Zach Wilson along with the 256th overall pick in exchange for the 203rd pick. Additionally, the Broncos agreed to split Wilson’s $5.5 million salary, owing him $2.75 million for the 2024 season. While this move was surprising, both teams are trying to do what’s best for their rosters.
Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, has had an interesting journey with the New York Jets. Despite high expectations, Wilson’s tenure in New York was shadowed with a subpar record of 12-21 across 33 starts. His performance, with more interceptions than touchdowns and a completion rate of just 57%, left coaches and fans disappointed. Consequently, he found himself out of luck in the Big Apple, prompting the trade to Denver.When the news of the trade came out, football watcher, Walker FInlinson said this “Why are the Broncos just getting a bunch of mid quarterbacks? Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham, really?”
The Broncos, under the leadership of head coach Sean Payton, have expressed confidence in Wilson’s potential. The trade was reportedly in the works for weeks, with the belief that Wilson’s talent can be harnessed under Payton, who famously had a lot of success with former saints QB Drew Brees. Wilson is poised to compete with Jarrett Stidham for the starting quarterback position, with the possibility of the team drafting a QB in the upcoming draft.
Despite Wilson’s rocky start in the NFL, his college performance at BYU showcased his capabilities. In his final season, he boasted impressive statistics, completing 73.5% of his passes and throwing for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns, and three interceptions. While this was Wilson’s only good season in college, these numbers show that Wilson has some potential for possible growth and development, which the Broncos are eager to capitalize on. When asked about his thoughts on Zach Wilson, NFL fan Judah Sotela had this to say “I’m not really a Zach Wilson fan. I mean maybe he can turn it around in Denver, but I just feel like teams focused too much on his pro day, when I don’t think he’s really all that good.”
The decision to decline Wilson’s fifth year option highlights the Broncos commitment to evaluating their options carefully. Wilson’s future with the Broncos remains uncertain, but the change of scenery offers him a fresh start and the opportunity to redefine his career trajectory.
As Wilson prepares to embark on this new chapter with the Denver Broncos, all eyes will be on him to see if he can fulfill the promise he showed in college. With the support of his new team and coaching staff, Wilson has the potential to revive his career and make a significant impact in the NFL.
