New York Jets to Trade Quarterback Zach Wilson to Broncos

NFL Network has reported the New York Jets will trading quarterback Zach Wilson and a seventh-round draft pick to the Denver Broncos. According to the report, the Jets will receive a sixth-round pick in return and will cover a portion of Wilson’s $5.5 million salary next season.

Wilson joins the Broncos following three unsuccessful seasons in New York. The Jets selected Wilson as the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, hoping he would blossom into their long-awaited franchise quarterback. Instead, he was benched regularly for bad play in his first two seasons before the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers before the 2023 season.

Wilson received another chance to start when Rodgers tore his Achilles on his first drive as New York’s quarterback. He continued to struggle through 11 starts in 2023, as the Jets finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs. He now has a new home.

Wilson joins a Broncos club in the midst of its own quarterback crisis. After two unsuccessful seasons, Denver decided to abandon the Russell Wilson experiment this off-season.

The Broncos terminated Wilson in March, incurring a $85 million dead salary cap penalty over the next two seasons. It also left the Broncos without a reliable starting quarterback on their roster.

News York Jets 12-21

Zack Wilson’s departure sent Jarrett Stidham to the top of Denver’s depth chart. The four-year NFL veteran has made four career starts. Throughout his career, which includes 16 game appearances for three clubs, he has completed 59.6% of his throws for 7.2 yards per attempt, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Wilson has significantly more starting experience. That experience does not give the Broncos optimism that they are any closer to resolving their quarterback issues.

Wilson completed 57% of his throws in 34 career games, including 33 starts, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt and 185.1 yards per game while scoring 23 touchdowns and intercepting 25 others.

The New York Jets were 12-21 in games he started. He was the weak link on a 2023 team with a top-3 defense and playmakers on an offense that had the potential to challenge in the AFC East with respectable quarterback play.

Rather of making an in-season deal to upgrade the position, the Jets stuck with Wilson for the majority of the season, finishing third in the AFC East and missing the playoffs.

For now, Zach Wilson expects to fight for the starting job in Denver next season. Prior to Wilson’s arrival, practice squad quarterback Ben DiNucci was the only Broncos quarterback under contract aside from Stidham.

2024 NFL Draft

Wilson is a low-risk acquisition for the Broncos in the form of a late-round draft selection swap. If he does not develop, the Broncos will not have suffered significantly. However, Broncos supporters who expect for a competitive squad in 2024 are still waiting for the franchise to make a substantial move at quarterback.

The NFL Draft on Thursday will provide Denver with the finest opportunity to address the position further. The Broncos have the No. 12 choice but will most likely have to move up to get one of the draft’s top quarterback prospects.

The 2024 NFL Draft promises to be an entertaining event for both fans and clubs. Top college prospects will have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and realize their ambition of playing in the NFL.

Teams will thoroughly assess each player’s potential in order to make the best decisions to bolster their lineups.

The NFL draft order will be determined by the previous season’s results, allowing struggling teams to acquire top players. Experts predict a strong group of quarterbacks, defensive linemen, and offensive tackles.

Teams with glaring needs at those areas will keep a close eye on the best prospects. The draft is a critical opportunity for organizations to redefine their destiny with strategic picks that could catapult them to success in the coming seasons.

Source: Yahoo Sports