The Jets and Zach Wilson officially parted ways Monday after New York traded the former 2021 No. 2 overall pick to the Broncos.
The Broncos sent the Jets a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 207) for Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 256), according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The two teams will also split Wilson's $5.5 million guaranteed salary.
This move ends the tumultuous between Wilson and the Jets. The former BYU quarterback never excelled at the NFL level during his three seasons in New York after multiple injuries, poor performances and benchings throughout his tenure. He finished his Jets career with a 12-21 record, a 57.0% competition percentage, 6,293 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He also fumbled the ball 17 times in three seasons.
Jets trade Zach Wilson for a sixth-round pick
The Jets were never going to get much for Wilson after two other 2021 first-round quarterbacks were traded away this offseason. The Bears traded former No. 11 pick Justin Fields to the Steelers for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick, while the Patriots sent former No. 15 pick Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a 2024 sixth-round pick.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas allowed Wilson to seek a trade this offseason following a 2023 season where head coach Robert Saleh benched him once, then asked him to return to the field only for him to end the season on injured reserve with a concussion. Saleh previously benched Wilson in 2022 as well before the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers this past offseason.
Jets QB depth chart after Wilson trade
Wilson was always going to be the odd-man out of the Jets quarterback room after New York signed Tyrod Taylor to be Rodgers' top backup. Now, there will be no question as to the quarterback pecking order on the team.
Rodgers is the starting if he's fully recovered from the Achilles tear he suffered in Week 1 of the 2023 season and Taylor is his backup. The have also been reports the Jets are interested in a late-round rookie quarterback to sit behind Rodgers and Taylor.
Broncos QB depth chart after Wilson trade
The Broncos quarterback room leaves much to be desired in the wake of the Wilson trade. Denver had just two quarterbacks on the roster after the team cut Russell Wilson: Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci.
Stidham started two games at the end of the 2023 season after head coach Sean Payton benched Wilson, and played in the XFL this past season. Wilson could have a shot to either be the starting quarterback for the Broncos or at least be the team's No. 2 quarterback.
There is also the possibility the Broncos select a quarterback early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Denver owns the No. 12 pick — a spot they could trade up from or take a quarterback that falls to them. Either way, the Broncos will have a lot of options when training camp rolls around later this summer.
