Jets trade Zach Wilson to Broncos, officially cutting bait on former starting QB
The systemic failure of the 2021 NFL draft's quarterback class continues to crystallize.
Monday, the New York Jets agreed to trade Zach Wilson, the second overall pick of that year's draft, to the Denver Broncos. According to a person familiar with the situation, the Jets pick up a sixth-round draft pick in the deal while also sending a Round 7 selection to Denver. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet official.
Wilson becomes the fourth passer selected in Round 1 of the 2021 draft to wash out with the team that drafted him. He joins Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones, who have all switched addresses within the last year. However Wilson's failures are among the most glaring.
Selected to replace Sam Darnold and reset the contractual clock at the position – and after a spectacular pro day at BYU – Wilson ultimately proved a regression from Darnold, who had almost no help around him during his three seasons with the team. The NYJ effectively threw in the towel on Wilson in 2023 after trading for four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers … then were quickly forced to turn back to the BYU product, who again miserably failed in his third attempt to produce at a level commensurate with his draft billing.
Wilson's completion rate (57%) and passer rating (73.2) rank among the league's worst over the past three seasons, that futility married to 23 TD passes and 34 turnovers. Wilson was on the losing end of 21 of his 33 professional starts.
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Wilson joins a Denver quarterback depth chart that currently only includes veteran journeymen Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci, though the Broncos are also expected to draft another passer later this week. And while Wilson should push for a job on the roster, his lack of accuracy and poor decision-making to this point in his career don't portend a fruitful marriage with coach Sean Payton.
ZACH WILSON TRADE GRADES
Denver Broncos: C+
They move back 53 spots on Day 3 of the draft in order for Payton to assess a once highly regarded prospect. For a team that had to add to its quarterback room, might as well take a flier on physical talent for virtually nothing rather than hope a Brock Purdy clone materializes.
New York Jets: F
There's no other way to assess Wilson's tenure other than an unmitigated disaster – especially when you consider the Jets could have taken WR Ja'Marr Chase, OT Penei Sewell, CB Patrick Surtain II or LB Micah Parsons instead while maybe giving Darnold a fighting chance. Heck, even Lance returned a fourth-rounder when he was dealt by the San Francisco 49ers to the Dallas Cowboys last summer. About the only thing the Jets accomplished Monday was removing themselves from the uncomfortable position of owning the 2024 draft's final two picks – meaning they would've had to deem one player they picked slightly more worthwhile than "Mr. Irrelevant."
***Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.