Earlier this month, the Denver Broncos traded for New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in an apparent depth to add a little bit more stability and depth to the quarterback position after the team decided to part ways with Russell Wilson earlier this offseason. And the Broncos have made a pretty important decision regarding Wilson’s contract.
According to a report from Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, the Denver Broncos have decided not to pick up the fifth-year option on Zach Wilson.
“Thursday is the deadline for teams to pick up fifth-year options on players taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. The #Broncos won’t pick up the $22.4 million option on QB Zach Wilson. They already have exercised the $19.8 million option on CB Pat Surtain II for 2025,” Tomasson said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Thursday is the deadline for teams to pick up fifth-year options on players taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. The #Broncos won't pick up the $22.4 million option on QB Zach Wilson. They already have exercised the $19.8 million option on CB Pat Surtain II for 2025.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) April 29, 2024
This situation certainly was not unexpected as it would have been a pretty expensive price tag to pay for Wilson given the role he is expected to have with the team.
After the Denver Broncos selected former Oregon Ducks star quarterback Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick in the NFL Draft, it makes sense that they would not want to pay another quarterback such a hefty sum of money.
This decision will also mean that Wilson will be set to become a free agent after next season, though he could always re-sign with the team.
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