As expected, the Broncos won’t be committing to Zach Wilson for the 2025 campaign. According to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, the Broncos have informed Wilson’s camp that they won’t be picking up the quarterback’s fifth-year option.
[RELATED: 2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
Considering the $22.41MM commitment that the option would have required, it’s not a surprise that the Broncos won’t lock themselves into that salary. Wilson will now hit free agency following the 2024 campaign, and he’s set to earn more than $5MM in what will be the final season of his rookie contract (the Jets are picking up a portion of that tab).
The Broncos acquired the former second-overall pick last week, swapping a sixth-round pick for a seventh-round pick along the way. Things have already changed since that acquisition, as the Broncos reached a bit for Bo Nix in the first round. The rookie could end up leading the depth chart in 2024, with only Wilson and Jarrett Stidham standing in the way.
Wilson, of course, will be seeking a fresh start in Denver. Following two underwhelming seasons to begin his career, the Jets made a major pivot last offseason when they acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Packers. The veteran suffered a season-ending injury in his first drive with his new squad, forcing Wilson back into the limelight. The third-year quarterback ended up going 4-7 under center, completing 60.1 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The Jets allowed Wilson to seek a trade elsewhere this offseason, although the market was predictably light considering the player’s lack of production and $11MM cap charge. They eventually found a taker in the Broncos, but following today’s move, this could prove to be only a one-year stop in Denver for Wilson.
Eight touchdowns in 11 starts? I bet even Kenny Pickett’s gotta be like “hold my beer, I’m gonna throw nine”
Some team will sign him next year to be a backup; he could stay in the league for the next ten years as unbelievable as that may be. Maybe he turns it around, completion % wasn’t bad last year, maybe the Jets just weren’t that good to begin with. Yes, I understand his output is not anywhere near acceptable so far. That said, this happens with top drafted Quarterbacks a lot.
He’s only on his second chance, he’ll get his third, fourth, fifth, and probably sixth since he was a second overall pick. There’s always gonna be a “quarterback guru” that thinks “I can fix him”, and maybe one of them will. Vinny Testaverde managed to play nearly twenty years after being a bust with the Buccaneers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Denver resigns him. Just not for that 25 million that they would have to pay.
Yeah, it’ll be closer to five million unless he shocks the world & lights it up this year. I bet it’s more likely that he’ll stick around as the #2 QB & let Sean Payton work with him on developing him more.
Lmao they got nix. Why would they
Probably because they, unlike you, understand that teams need more than one QB. They just aren’t signing him at his current number and will let him work this year and prove his value, or lack thereof.
You’re dumb
The Broncos seem obsessed with acquiring mediocre QB’s named Wilson.
Hope he has a good money manager.
Not a broncos fan, but this whole situation could’ve been avoided if they kept locke. Could’ve saved the picks and the dead money.
True that. I hated the Russell trade and deal but honestly Denver screwed Lock.
Does that mean his playing time in Denver got ‘nixed’?