Zach Wilson’s tenure with the New York Jets has come to an abrupt end, as the 24-year-old quarterback has been traded to the Denver Broncos, according to reports. Wilson’s departure had been foreshadowed when he listed his Morris County house on the market for around $1 million last month.
Wilson’s three-year stint with the Jets was marked by adversity. He took over quarterback duties from superstar Aaron Rodgers after Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the 2023 season. Wilson started the next nine games, initially showing promise in the wake of the Rodgers’ injury. However, the Jets’ season quickly spiraled downward, and Wilson was benched for the third time in 13 months.
With Rodgers poised to return for the 2024 season, a move away from New Jersey was always on the cards for Wilson. He has one year remaining on his contract worth $5.5 million, and the Broncos and Jets will reportedly split the QB’s salary. A late-round pick swap is also believed to be part of the deal, with Denver sending a sixth-rounder to New York in exchange for a seventh-round pick.
In 12 games played in the 2023 season, Wilson recorded 2,271 passing yards and eight touchdowns. The Jets finished the season with a 7-10 record, placing third in the AFC East. Despite the challenges he faced with the Jets, Wilson remains optimistic about his future. ‘Whether it’s here or somewhere else, I believe he’s going to have a hell of a career,’ Jets head coach Robert Saleh said towards the end of the 2023 season. ‘Obviously there’s things that he wishes he could have back and I know there’s a lot of things he improved on. Some things were out of his control. I’ve said it and I’ll say it again: I think he’s going to have a long career in this league.’
