Wilson in line for surprising role with Denver Broncos after New York Jets trade (original) (raw)

Zach Wilson may be handed the starting quarterback role by head coach Sean Payton next season, even though Bo Nix was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round

Zach Wilson is 'in the mix' to start for the Denver Broncos next season.

The Denver Broncos are considering starting Zach Wilson at quarterback next season, with the former New York Jets player 'in the mix' alongside the recently drafted Bo Nix.

The organization traded for Wilson and also received a 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 256) from the Jets in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 203). Wilson was the No. 2 pick out of BYU back in 2021, but endured three brutal seasons with the Jets and his exit was seen as the best outcome for all parties.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton is yet to make his quarterback selection, and will likely make a decision closer to the 2024 season start. But according to Bleacher Report, Wilson is very much under consideration to start the new season as their No. 1.

Denver is focusing on rebuilding Wilson's confidence, which was destroyed at the Jets especially after he was relied upon following a season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers. The Jets were keen to have Wilson observe Rodgers and then take over once the veteran had retired, but his unexpected injury changed everything.

Wilson was thrown in at the deep in after being drafted in 2021, making 13 starts in his rookie season and going 3-10. The following year he made just nine starts as confidence began to fall, and Wilson was a healthy scratch on several occasions.

Still, he finished that year with a 5-4 record, but when the Jets traded for Rodgers it was clear that it would be some time before Wilson suited up again for New York. Or so fans thought, as after months of anticipation Rodgers' season lasted just four snaps as he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1.

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Zach Wilson was meant to learn under Aaron Rodgers but ended up playing. (

Image:

Getty)

The whole summer Wilson had been preparing as a No. 2 and bought into their plan of learning from Rodgers before succeeding him. The Jets expressed regret when trading him to the Broncos this summer, and wished things went differently. But for them, and Wilson, it was the right decision.

Wilson now has a new environment for a fresh start and gets to work with a new coaching crew under Payton. But he faces a battle with Nix, who the Broncos used their No. 12 pick on in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Wilson and Nix are competing for the No. 1 spot with Jarrett Stidham also pushing. (

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2024 Getty Images)

Denver put their faith in the Oregon quarterback and doubled down on their decision later in the draft, trading up in the fourth round to hold the 102nd pick and select wide receiver, Troy Franklin. Nix and Franklin were both at Oregon and the Broncos were keen to keep the offensive duo together.

Nix has also impressed star receiver Courtland Sutton, making life even tougher for coach Payton ahead of the new season. "Bo brings a lot of really good qualities to our team in terms of the quarterback position," Sutton said, via DNVR Sports. "He does a lot of things really, really well on the field. ... He has that leader mentality, that aura that he walks with."