Zach Wilson Traded to Denver Broncos
The New York Jets have traded quarterback Zach Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a sixth-round pick, according to league sources. The Jets acquired Rodgers last season, hoping that Wilson could sit and watch one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks for a season. Instead, Wilson was starting by Week 2.
In three seasons, Wilson accounted for 28 total touchdowns and 34 turnovers. He completed 57 percent of his passes and threw for 300-plus yards only three times in 34 games. According to TruMedia, Wilson ranks 47th of 52 eligible quarterbacks in their first three seasons in the last 10 years in EPA per dropback.
The Jets have since admitted handing Wilson the starting job right away was a mistake. As the calendar turned to 2022, LaFleur had already started to sour on Wilson and made his feelings clear throughout that offseason. Their relationship cratered that season as Wilson struggled to grasp the offense; he also didn’t respond well to LaFleur’s method of brutal honesty.
A change of scenery was inevitable and necessary, for both team and player. Most head coaches and general managers wouldn’t have survived this level of failure with the No. 2 pick, but Saleh and Douglas will get one last shot to prove they can lead a team to the playoffs. They’ll do it with Rodgers — and signed a veteran in Tyrod Taylor to back him up — while Wilson will try to resurrect his career in Colorado.
Why did the Broncos make this move?
No team in the league was entering the draft with a less experienced QB room than the Broncos. After releasing Russell Wilson in March, the roster consisted of Jarrett Stidham (four career starts) and Ben DiNucci (one). The former No. 2 overall pick has significant talent that coach Sean Payton and his staff will attempt to harness as Wilson benefits from a change of surroundings.
