From the moment the Denver Broncos acquired Zach Wilson from the New York Jets for two-thirds of a bag of stale Doritos, the narrative surrounding the move got a little wacky. Now, finally, the Zach Wilson conversation has returned to reality.
Very quickly, a majority of the fanbase adopted Wilson as the team’s likely starter, despite him being measurably worse than Jarrett Stidham in almost any way you slice it that doesn’t rely on collegiate perceptions, and that never made sense.
The Denver Broncos clarified their feelings on Wilson this week though, when they opted to decline his fifth-year option, making it so that they only have him under contract for 2024.
Now, deciding to decline the option isn’t remotely surprising. Accepting it would have guaranteed Wilson $22.4 million for the 2025 season, which would have made him the league’s most expensive backup by a very wide margin.
Now, making it clear that Wilson isn’t the starter moving forward should be expected given the Nix pick, but nonetheless, this is another move from the Denver Broncos — with the first being them turning their noses up at the idea of paying him even $5 million in 2024 — that points to a lack of belief in Zach Wilson.
Considering their baseline competency, and the fact the Broncos are no longer in a position to care a ton about whether or not Wilson can develop into a franchise guy, Jarrett Stidham should be the heavy favorite to make the final 53.
