Quarterback Zach Wilson’s three-year career with the New York Jets has mercifully come to an end. The 24-year-old is being traded to the Denver Broncos just three days ahead of the start of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Wilson’s departure also comes less than one week before the third anniversary of Gang Green selecting the former BYU Cougar with the second overall pick in 2021.
Wilson is entering a crowded quarterback room in Denver, as the Broncos already have Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on their depth chart, and the club could add another signal-caller in the upcoming draft. Head coach Sean Payton and Co. currently hold the 12th overall pick but then aren’t slated to select again until the third round at 76th overall.
While Wilson could face plenty of competition in the Mile High City, there presumably won’t be a clear front-runner for the starting job unless the team makes a huge splash during the draft. What is clear is that both he and the Jets needed a split.
After a third straight disastrous season in 2023, Wilson became even more dispensable when New York brought in former Pro Bowler Tyrod Taylor in March to be Aaron Rodgers’ backup.
After opening his career as the Jets starter in 2021, Wilson missed four games that year due to a knee injury. He missed the start of the 2022 campaign with a meniscus tear and regained the starting role upon his return, but was eventually demoted to QB3 because of poor performance. New York traded for Rodgers in April 2023, relegating Wilson to bench duties.
After Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1 last season, Wilson got another chance as the starter. He showed promise at times — earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 14 — but was largely inconsistent and mediocre at best. The Jets went 4-7 in Wilson’s 11 starts. He finished the year with a career-high 60.1 completion percentage but just 2,271 passing yards with eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 77.2 passer rating.
