The New York Jets are reportedly trading Zach Wilson to the Denver Broncos, bringing an end to the quarterback’s difficult three-year spell at MetLife Stadium.
Wilson was picked second overall out of BYU in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he struggled from the off and went 3-10 in a difficult rookie season in New York.
He performed slightly better in 2022, going 5-4 as a starter, but still threw seven picks to just six touchdowns and was relegated to a backup role when the team completed a blockbuster trade for Aaron Rodgers last year.
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However, Rodgers’ long-term Achilles injury meant Wilson started another 11 games last season, going 4-7 and being benched for both Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian in the closing weeks of the campaign.
With Rodgers returning to fitness for 2024, Wilson always looked likely to be moved on if the Jets could find a suitor, and according to the NFL Network, the Broncos have agreed to add him to a quarterback room including Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci.
BREAKING: Jets trading QB Zach Wilson to Broncos. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/x5kiTgOq4y
— NFL (@NFL) April 22, 2024
The Broncos cut Russell Wilson in March after two miserable years with the veteran as their starter, with the former Super Bowl XLVIII champion joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In exchange for Wilson, the Jets will reportedly receive a sixth-round pick for this week’s draft, with Denver getting a seventh-round selection as part of the trade.
Broncos general manager George Paton had previously talked up the possibility of the team trading up to select a quarterback in the draft. They currently hold the 12th pick of the first round.
“I would just say if it’s a player that you think can change the landscape of your organization moving forward, like a quarterback, then you do whatever it takes to get him,” Paton said last Thursday.
“If there’s consensus in the building, a love in the building, you’re aggressive and you try to get him. It doesn’t mean you’re going to get him, but you try. So we’re open to everything. We’re wide open.”
