May 23, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson (4) during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Denver Broncos OTA
(Denver, CO) – For a third consecutive year the Broncos could be starting Wilson at quarterback. However, this time it won’t be 9-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson.
“DangeRuss” was cut by Denver just two years into a five-year, $245 million contract after he was acquired for a haul including two first-round picks in 2022. The trade stands as one of the worst in NFL history as Russ only mustered two losing seasons during his time in Denver.
Fortunately for the Broncos they did not have to give up much in their next quarterback trade, the New York Jets dealt Zach Wilson and a seventh-round pick this offseason in exchange for Denver’s sixth-round pick.
Wilson was taken second overall in the 2021 draft, and while he showed flashes, never proved he was a true franchise quarterback as the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers in the blockbuster move of 2023. Zach remained the primary starter for his disappointing third season after Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury on the first drive of the season.
Now close to home, a Utah native and BYU alumnus, Wilson will look to revive his career just a state across the border. He will compete with a career backup in Jarrett Stidham and first-round rookie Bo Nix for the starting job.
Despite his struggles in OTAs, Wilson is reportedly in a “positive state of mind” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Broncos and head coach Sean Payton still have confidence in the young signal caller. They are hoping to rebuild the confidence he lost during his time in New York, and put him in a position to be the Week 1 starter.
