Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos had their eye on quarterback Zach Wilson, possibly due to last season’s humiliating 31-24 loss to the New York Jets in Week 5, despite Wilson only passing for 199 yards with an interception.
Even though the Broncos were interested in Bo Nix and the 2024 quarterback class, there was no guarantee they’d get their top pick. Thus, they acquired Wilson from the Jets at a low cost to provide competition for incumbent Jarrett Stidham and add veteran depth at quarterback.
Wilson’s three-year NFL resume made it hard to see him as a “fail-safe,” but he was at least an experienced option who could compete with Stidham if the Broncos missed out on a quarterback in the draft. Wilson arrived a week before the draft, and on April 25, the Broncos picked Nix as the No. 12 overall selection, setting up a three-way quarterback competition.
After the Broncos’ offseason training program, we’ve heard updates on Stidham and Nix, but what about Wilson? The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider provided his insight earlier this week.
“After 12 practices — 10 OTAs and a pair of minicamp sessions — it is difficult to see how Zach Wilson fits in at quarterback for the Broncos. The fourth-year quarterback has unique arm talent in a QB room that also includes rookie Bo Nix and veteran Jarrett Stidham. But Wilson looks like someone who may need more time to adjust to Denver’s offense, even more so than Nix. Perhaps training camp could alter the equation, but at this point, it’s hard to envision Wilson starting for Denver in Week 1. And he has ground to make up if he’s going to win the backup job,” Kosmider wrote.
The Broncos declined to exercise Wilson’s fifth-year option inherited from the Jets trade. Towards the end of the offseason training program, reports indicated Denver was focusing on repairing Wilson’s confidence, implying he’s lower in the pecking order than his former No. 2 overall draft status might suggest.
According to 9NEWS’ Mike Klis, Stidham was the best Broncos quarterback this offseason, with media consensus supporting this view, given his second year in Payton’s system. Nix, meanwhile, has received praise from Payton, coaches, teammates, and media. Wilson, despite his arm talent, hasn’t garnered much attention since arriving in Denver.
Kosmider’s assessment seems accurate: the Broncos might keep all three quarterbacks, especially if Wilson improves during training camp and preseason. However, if Nix wins the starting job, there’s little reason to keep another veteran quarterback to back up Stidham, who was signed as a fail-safe.
Ultimately, Nix has the potential to be a franchise quarterback, raising the performance of the entire team. If Wilson doesn’t secure his place, he might find himself without a role when the Broncos finalize their roster.
