Zach Wilson, who failed to get selected at the Jets’ draft, will essentially get an extended tryout on Sunday in order to join the Broncos.
With rookie Bo Nix already named the Week 1 starter, head coach Sean Payton unveiled a plan that would involve starting Jarrett Stidham in the final game of the season against the Cardinals and having him play 8-12 snaps while letting Wilson play the rest of the game.
This suggests that Stidham will be the No. 2 prospect after it looked like the three quarterbacks were on equal footing at the start of training camp.
Could the Broncos keep all three on the 53-man roster after Tuesday’s roster cut?
Even after an offseason rule change that allows teams to promote a third quarterback from the practice squad an unlimited number of times and keep him inactive unless he is needed in an emergency situation?
“Sure, of course,” Payton told reporters this week. “I know the rule was changed recently … that if you do that, that third player comes in without counting (for the game-day roster). But ultimately, I think the most important thing is to really look at your assets when you make that decision.”
Wilson was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, but was a disappointment in his three seasons starting in New York, going 12-21 with 23 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions.
He was acquired by the Broncos in April along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
The Broncos and Jets share Wilson’s guaranteed salary of $5.5 million in 2024.
“We have a pretty good idea of where we’re going,” Payton said of the quarterback roster decisions. “I think we have a particularly good handle on that room. I’ve said it and I’ll say it again: I like that room.”
Just last week, Payton raved about Wilson’s progress during training camp.
It didn’t sound like he was talking about a substitute player he wanted to offload – unless he wanted to create a transfer market for Wilson.
The Jets learned how dry this market is after the end of last season.
“This damn Zach Wilson now, the last week and a half,” Payton said on the “Scoop City” podcast. “I grabbed him and said, ‘Listen, I just want you to focus on having fun and playing. My job is to get you millions, either with us or with another team.’ His last two weeks have been outstanding.”
