The Denver Broncos are in need of a new starting quarterback after head coach Sean Payton decided to part ways with Russell Wilson following the 2023 season, and it sounds like the team is bringing in a pretty surprising player to possibly help fill that void.
According to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets have agreed to a trade that sends Zach Wilson to the Broncos.
“Former #Jets starting QB and No. 2 pick Zach Wilson is on the move. Sources say he’s being traded to the #Broncos, hoping for a fresh start. The deal includes a late-round pick swap (6th for a 7th) and NYJ will pay some of Wilson’s roughly $5.5M salary,” Rapoport said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
🚨 🚨 🚨
Former #Jets starting QB and No. 2 pick Zach Wilson is on the move. Sources say he’s being traded to the #Broncos, hoping for a fresh start.
The deal includes a late-round pick swap (6th for a 7th) and NYJ will pay some of Wilson’s roughly $5.5M salary. pic.twitter.com/7Y1KShZ3sg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 22, 2024
Obviously, this is some pretty significant news around the league and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media.
the rich tradition of Jets-Broncos crossover QBs continues:
Zach Wilson
Trevor Siemian
Mark Sanchez
Joe Flacco
Tim Tebow
Zach Wilson
Teddy Bridgewater https://t.co/YqoCYeXLJj— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) April 22, 2024
The Broncos saw the number of Wilson jerseys they had in inventory. https://t.co/0b52Vr8Twg
— Nick (@seahawksnerd75) April 22, 2024
Can already see the Chargers losing to him at mile high in my head https://t.co/QKcDXdt7Bt
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) April 22, 2024
A much worse Jay Cutler https://t.co/KlaSCCZZpm
— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) April 22, 2024
Translation:
The Jets are basically paying the Broncos to take a player they picked 2nd overall in the Draft. https://t.co/Cuoby2dmDn— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) April 22, 2024
Sean Payton loves BYU Quarterbacks https://t.co/Zt948gj2KW
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) April 22, 2024
It’s not immediately clear what Zach Wilson’s role is expected to be in Denver, but the team’s quarterback situation is quite uncertain after the departure of Russell Wilson. Currently, Jarrett Stidham is considered the top quarterback on the roster after serving as the backup to Russell Wilson last season.
We’ll have to see what happens.
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