The trade’s announcement came shortly after the Jets signed Tyrod Taylor, a move signaling a dwindling faith in Zach Wilson. Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, had several opportunities to prove himself as a starter for the Jets but failed to deliver the expected results. With Aaron Rodgers now leading the charge, Wilson’s future with the Jets seemed bleak.
Denver Broncos Doesn’t Have Many Alternatives
On the surface, acquiring a quarterback who has struggled with a sub-60% completion rate and more interceptions than touchdowns seems perplexing. But the Broncos are in a unique position. After releasing Russell Wilson, Denver faced a grim reality at the quarterback position, compounded by salary cap constraints due to Wilson’s hefty dead cap hit.
The Broncos hold the No. 12 pick in the upcoming draft, a position unlikely to net them top quarterback prospects like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. Even J.J. McCarthy might be a stretch without surrendering significant future assets. The available alternatives? Older rookies like Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr., who not only command higher salaries but also don’t necessarily possess the potential upside that Wilson could still tap into.
The Strategic Advantage by Trading Zach Wilson
Denver’s decision to trade for Wilson is a calculated risk with minimal downside. They gave up little in terms of draft capital and acquired Wilson on a low-cost, one-year commitment. This move allows the Broncos a chance to see if Wilson can rediscover his college form that once made him a top draft pick, without the financial burden typically associated with rookie quarterbacks or free-agent signings.
The allure of Wilson lies in the moments of brilliance he has shown, which, albeit infrequent, suggest that there is still untapped potential. If Wilson can find consistency under Denver’s system, the Broncos may have secured a high-reward quarterback at a bargain price.
Zach Wilson next November pic.twitter.com/CS3XvPITOr
— 🤙🏻 (@RunThaBaII) April 22, 2024
Is There A Minimal Risk, Potential High Reward Situation?
The trade is indeed underwhelming when viewed through the lens of immediate impact, yet when considering the long-term strategy, it could be a masterstroke for the Broncos. They are essentially taking a low-risk flier on a player who could still develop into a quality starter. If Wilson fails to improve, the Broncos are no worse off than they were before. However, if he succeeds, they have the cornerstone of their franchise at a fraction of the cost.
In the NFL, where the quarterback carousel never stops turning, Denver’s move to acquire Zach Wilson might just be a smarter play than it appears at first glance. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off, but one thing is clear: the Broncos are not afraid to think outside the box, hoping to strike gold with a player many have already written off.
Source- Fansided
