For Zach Wilson, life in the NFL has been a real roller coaster ride of disappointment. Drafted second overall in the 2021 Draft by the New York Jets, the former BYU Cougar was supplanted as the starter in the “City That Never Sleeps” when the team signed Aaron Rodgers. In limited action, he played poorly enough that he was traded to the Denver Broncos.
While Wilson may have thought breathing the crisp, Rocky Mountain air would give him a fresh start, there is a rising belief that his days in the “Mile High City” might already be numbered. Numerous reports have emerged that Denver could cut him by the end of training camp.
Quite frankly, Wilson hasn’t fully established himself as a proven passer in the NFL. It’s very likely that he either wins the starting job or ends up not even making the week 1 roster at all. There’s that much of a divide currently between his potential vs his performance. How will this situation resolve itself with the Broncos?
Broncos Have a Three-Way QB Battle
CAMP IN :60⏱️
It was Zach Wilson's turn at QB with the Broncos starters at camp, so was he any better than Jarrett Stidham or Bo Nix did in previous practices? @ZacStevensDNVR sums up practice in under a minute: pic.twitter.com/7OYxzvfxYF
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) July 26, 2024
Wilson, 24, will be facing off against two candidates who are actually less experienced than him in a training camp battle. Jarrett Stidham, who’s only made four starts in five years as a pro, and rookie Bo Nix, the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, are also in the mix. In fact, they’re currently in front of Wilson.
As of the first week of training camp, Wilson was listed third on the depth chart, with Nix currently penciled in with the first team and Stidham slated to be his backup. Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton seemed to indicate that he’s leaning toward Nix in the early going.
“Bo took most of the reps today,” Payton told the media after Day 2 of training camp. “We’ll keep you filled in on how we do that day-by-day.”
So, the biggest question then becomes: Does Denver carry three quarterbacks on the active roster, or will Zach Wilson soon be out in the cold? And if he’s released from the Broncos, what other NFL team will be willing to give him a shot?
There’s reason to believe that the former Jet may never suit up for a regular season game for the Broncos. And if he ends up landing with another team in 2024, it’s been a huge drop off from his early expectations. Once considered a potential franchise QB, he’s perilously close to becoming a washout.
Wilson’s Wild NFL Ride
To be fair to Zach Wilson, his missteps in the NFL aren’t completely his fault. He was thrown into the fire as a starter for the then-hapless Jets. Then, when Aaron Rodgers became available via trade, New York brought in the former MVP and pushed the youngster aside.
Last season, when Rodgers ruptured his Achilles Tendon on the fourth offensive play of 2023, Wilson was suddenly thrust into an even tougher position the second time around – replacing a legend who was supposed to be the team’s savior.
Wilson had flashes of greatness, but ultimately couldn’t carry the team in the absence of Rodgers, mustering just a 7-10 record. To make matters worse, the starter-turned-backup-turned-starter again posted terrible numbers. Wilson finished the year with 2,271 yards, with eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His quarterback rating was a pedestrian 77.2 and even dropped to third on the depth chart for a few weeks.
After failing in the “Big Apple,” Wilson was already attracting the dreaded label of an ‘NFL Draft bust’, even though he will only be 25 years old this season. Regardless if he finds a home in Denver, or he becomes a free agent, it will be interesting to see how the 2024 season plays out for Wilson.
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