Earlier this month, the Denver Broncos traded for former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson to add another option in the quarterback room after parting ways with previous starter Russell Wilson this offseason. But it doesn’t sound like the team is committing to keeping him beyond this season.
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 the contract of Zach Wilson, which will make him a free agent next season.
“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
While this decision isn’t exactly unexpected given how much Wilson was set to make if the team did pick up the fifth-year option, it still led to a lot of reactions on social media.
They watched the tape
— Danny Bags (@DannyBagsZ) April 30, 2024
Wow what a surprise
— Jack P (@5858Jack) April 30, 2024
Now that's a QB situation that makes sense. ATL take notes. https://t.co/MF7xXX12U3
— Cass (@CassieMccasky) April 30, 2024
That means he can come back next year! 🤣 #JetUp https://t.co/AJSazYqIPt
— p-Frank the Tank ™️🛩️💰 (@Hollywood_NYJ) April 30, 2024
cowards.
— patsfb (@patsfb) April 30, 2024
This should have gone without tweeting. Kid's a BUST!
— 🏈 Leonardo di Arnø ™ (@NFLbeatster) April 30, 2024
After the Broncos selected Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick in the NFL Draft last week, it’s not completely clear what Wilson’s role will be with the team.

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