Former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is gearing up for a fresh start with the Denver Broncos in 2024. After three challenging seasons with the Jets, the former No. 2 overall pick is ready to reset and prove his potential. Let’s delve into what makes Wilson’s transition to Denver a promising opportunity for his NFL career.
Zach Wilson Struggles in New York Jets
Zach Wilson’s time with the Jets was marred by various challenges, many of which were beyond his control. Playing behind an inconsistent offensive line, lacking a strong run game, and dealing with unreliable receivers, Wilson struggled to showcase his true abilities.
His record with the Jets stands at 12-21, with 6,293 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. Additionally, he accumulated 498 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Despite these stats, Wilson’s performance was hampered by significant issues within the team.
Insight from Sauce Gardner
Sauce Gardner, Wilson’s former teammate, remains optimistic about Wilson’s future. Gardner, who practiced against Wilson for two years, shared his thoughts on the “Green Light” podcast, stating, “I’ve seen him do some special things in games, so I know he can do it. I feel like he has all the tools to be a top-tier NFL quarterback.”
Sean Payton Factor for Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton also expressed his confidence in Wilson. Payton recalled their evaluation of Wilson, saying, “We just felt like, man, we’d love to work with this guy. It wasn’t too long ago; we remember grading him & we felt the investment was worth it relative to his skillset & his talent.” This endorsement from a seasoned coach like Payton highlights the potential the Broncos see in Wilson.
Zach Wilson Overcoming Adversity
Wilson’s tenure with the Jets was plagued by a weak offensive line, ranking near the bottom of the NFL since his rookie year. He was sacked 113 times over three seasons, averaging nearly 3.5 sacks per game.
Under constant pressure on 40.5% of his drop-backs, Wilson was forced to scramble 54 times on non-designed run plays. Moreover, his receivers had a significantly high drop percentage of 9.1%, peaking at 12.7% during his rookie year.
Zach Wilson Promising Future in Denver Broncos
In Denver, Wilson will benefit from a stronger offensive line, which allowed fewer pressures, hurries, QB hits, and sacks compared to the Jets in 2023. This improved protection is expected to give Wilson the time and space he needs to make better plays and demonstrate his capabilities.
Gardner also shared his thoughts on Wilson’s new chapter, saying, “I feel like a new chapter…like, obviously I’m not familiar with Denver and how they run things and who their coaches (are), but a new chapter I feel like was good for him.”
Zach Wilson and Denver Broncos Looking Ahead
Zach Wilson’s move to the Denver Broncos marks a significant turning point in his NFL career. With the support of a solid offensive line and the guidance of a seasoned coach like Sean Payton, Wilson has the opportunity to harness his potential and emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
As he embarks on this new journey, all eyes will be on Wilson to see if he can overcome past challenges and fulfill the promise he showed as a top draft pick.
Stay tuned as Zach Wilson writes the next chapter of his NFL story with the Denver Broncos, where a supportive environment and a fresh start await him.
Source: yardbarker
