Zach Wilson’s tenure with the New York Jets has come to an end. The former No. 2 overall pick in 2021 was traded to the Denver Broncos Monday afternoon, ending Wilson’s lackluster stay in the Big Apple.
In return for the former prized quarterback, New York will receive the No. 203 pick — a sixth-rounder — from the Broncos. In addition to acquiring Wilson, the Broncos will receive a seventh-round pick (256) from New York. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the two teams will split Wilson’s $5.5 million salary that he is due this season.
Out of the five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2021 draft, only Trevor Lawrence remains with his original team. Trey Lance (3rd) is now with the Cowboys, Justin Fields (11th) is in Pittsburgh and Mac Jones (15th) is the backup to Lawrence in Jacksonville.
With Wilson no longer in town, the Jets’ quarterback room includes 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers and 34-year-old Tyrod Taylor. With the Draft quickly approaching, it will be interesting to see if New York decides to select a quarterback with one of its picks.
When discussing their quarterback situation last week, Denver coach Sean Payton and general manager George Patton had this to say:
“Look, I mean, do we have to draft a quarterback?” Payton said last week. “You’d say, man, it sure looks like we have to draft a quarterback and yet, it’s got to be the right fit, the right one. And if you had the tip sheets as to who everyone else was taking, it would be easier to answer that question. … That’s the puzzle here.”
Patton stated that the team doesn’t want to “force” their first-round pick and added:
“Otherwise, we’ll be in this position next year and the years after. You want to get the right player at 12. Our first pick we’ve got to hit on, whether it’s a quarterback, whether it’s a tackle, a receiver, you name it, we need to get an impact player.”
The NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 25.
