On the heels of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos made a noteworthy decision by trading for New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.
Wilson had long been rumored to be on the move, especially with the Jets feeling secure, at least from their starting quarterback position, with veteran Aaron Rodgers. That role was originally meant for Wilson, but after three seasons of inconsistent play at best, the Jets finally decided to move on.
The Broncos' interest in Wilson isn't surprising, given their need for a quarterback. Their major offseason move saw them releasing veteran and former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, eating his dead money hit and all. His departure from Denver immediately left a gaping hole in the Broncos' quarterback room, with just Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on the roster as options to lead the team in 2024.
Trading for Wilson raises questions for the Broncos as they are just days away from the 2024 NFL Draft. Does this mean they are out of the quarterback hunt in the first round? Or are they just getting started? Let's examine what the Broncos' trade for Zach Wilson means.
Broncos' trade for Zach Wilson doesn't rule out drafting a quarterback at No. 12
For those who've followed the Broncos' decision-making regarding their quarterback situation over the last couple of years, it's been a disaster. Since Peyton Manning departed after 2015, there's been no suitable replacement for the Hall of Famer—not even Russell Wilson — with 13 different players getting a start behind center.
Wilson is still a significant part of the Broncos' future, as his trade from Seattle came at a steep price. The Broncos are still paying for him, literally, and suffering from the loss of draft capital. However, with the 12th pick, the Broncos still have an opportunity to make a significant selection, with quarterback remaining a priority.
There could be up to six quarterbacks taken in the first round, and even outside the top three and top 10, the Broncos could still be in line to draft one. While the former Jets quarterback may now be the best option for the Broncos, that doesn't mean he's the future of the franchise. The Broncos might be waiting to see how things play out when their turn comes to select at No. 12.
“Look, I mean, do we have to draft a quarterback?” head coach Sean Payton said last week, via ESPN. “You'd say man, it sure looks like we have to draft a quarterback, and yet it's got to be the right fit, the right one. And if you had the tip sheets as to who everyone else was taking, it would be easier to answer that question. … That's the puzzle here.”
Broncos' trade for Zach Wilson doesn't guarantee they will draft a quarterback at No. 12 either
Trading for Wilson has significant implications. Most notably, Wilson brings experience to the table. Though only in his third year in the league and considered a backup now, Wilson has 33 career starts. Twelve of those came last season after Rodgers went down with an Achilles injury on the opening drive of the Jets' season opener.
Stidham and DiNucci, with a combined five years of experience, have just five total career starts between them with a 1-4 record. There's no question that wasn't going to cut it for the Broncos in 2024, and something significant needed to happen in the quarterback room. Wilson is indeed that something. Is he the full-time answer, though? That remains to be seen in the draft in the coming days.
Zach Wilson could serve as a suitable bridge quarterback for the Broncos and revive his career
It's unlikely that anyone in the Broncos' front office or coaching staff is expecting Wilson to be their long-term answer at quarterback. But they can expect him to get them through this trial period as they prepare for their future, even though that may not be a glamorous position for the former BYU quarterback.
However, Wilson can give his career a bit of a revival (think Baker Mayfield) by leaning heavily on Payton's expertise and becoming the best version of himself as an NFL quarterback in a new setting.
“Not sure there's a better landing spot for Zach Wilson (maybe the Rams would've been),” SI's Senior NFL reporter Albert Breer said via his X account. “And for the Broncos, this is moving a pick within the final 60 of the draft down 53 spots, while the Jets eat half the money for you. Which is to say they got him for a roll of Ace bandages.”
2024 isn't the year for the Broncos to make significant moves
This may not be the season for the Broncos to go all out. In fact, it definitely isn't. As much as Payton and general manager George Paton may be salivating over quarterbacks at the top of the board, they don't have the means to move up and wager more of their future to do so. That looks to be just a year away.
In 2025, the Broncos' options become much more manageable. Over The Cap's Jason Fitzgerald has said the team could have what he calls a “clean slate.” They'll have the fewest players under contract, including Wilson's massive cap hit, giving them a projected $103.7 million, plus, as of now, draft picks.
Follow Us
Subscribe