The Denver Broncos made an unexpected move by acquiring former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in the offseason to add depth to their quarterback lineup.
Wilson, who had a disappointing three-year tenure with the Jets, was seen as a player who might benefit from a fresh start. However, initial reports suggested that Wilson struggled during offseason activities and training camp, raising concerns that he might not make the roster.
Contrary to those expectations, Denver retained Wilson, who now sits third on the depth chart behind rookie starter Bo Nix and backup Jarrett Stidham.
Despite being third in line, Wilson is still viewed positively by Denver’s management. General Manager George Paton expressed confidence in Wilson’s potential to be a starter in the NFL. When asked about Wilson’s abilities, Paton responded, “No doubt. He has starter tools all over.
It’s been pretty cool just watching him with really no expectations. He can just go out there and play football. He has all the traits. He has all the starting traits in the world. He’s still working through some things.”
Paton added, “You can see the good and the really good last week in the game. He can throw it as good as anyone in the league. I mentioned before, he’s smart and he’s a great kid. He has starter traits all over. I do think he will be a starter in this league.”
Whether Paton’s remarks are meant to boost Wilson’s confidence or serve another purpose, the young quarterback has yet to prove himself as a viable NFL starter.
Wilson’s career stats include a 57% completion rate, 6,293 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. The Jets moved on from the 25-year-old after a rocky 2023 season in which he was benched several times, especially after Aaron Rodgers was sidelined with a season-ending injury early in the campaign.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have also moved on from their own unsuccessful two-year experiment with Russell Wilson.
