The New York Jets have traded quarterback Zach Wilson to the Denver Broncos. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Jets will receive a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in exchange for Wilson.
As part of the agreement, the Jets will also send a seventh-round selection to the Broncos while paying an unspecified portion of Wilson’s $5.5 million salary in 2024.
The Jets selected Wilson with a second-overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft with the intention to make him their quarterback of the future. However, throughout the three years that Wilson spent with the franchise, it became obvious he wasn’t for the role.
Wilson struggled in his first two seasons as a pro, being benched several times due to poor play. The Jets then decided to trade for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers ahead of the 2023 season and demoted Wilson to backup in hopes he would benefit from being mentored by a future Hall of Famer.
Rodgers ended up tearing his Achilles in the first game of the season, forcing the Jets to turn to Wilson once again. While Wilson showed flashes of talent, he once again failed to demonstrate consistency and lost the starting job in favor of journeyman Tim Boyle at one point as the Jets looked for ways to salvage their campaign.
Wilson leaves the Jets with a 13-21 record as a starter and has thrown for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions.
The Broncos, who released veteran signal-caller Russell Wilson in the offseason, will hope that Wilson can improve with the change of scenery and perhaps stabilize their QB position. However, even if that doesn’t happen, it won’t be too awful of a move, considering they haven’t invested much.
