Zach Wilson made the most of the Denver Broncos’ final preseason game and proved why he should be the team’s No. 2 quarterback this season.
Wilson, a former Jets first-round draft pick, completed 16 of 25 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in Denver’s 38-12 win over the Broncos in a friendly against the Arizona Cardinals.
The former Jets starter has been competing for the backup position in Denver since training camp began and made quite an impression in Sunday’s preseason finale.
Wilson also had a touchdown attempt, throwing a spectacular 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Johnson in the fourth quarter.
Jarrett Stidham played briefly in the game, completing 2 of 4 pass attempts for 28 yards before Wilson entered the game near the end of the first quarter.
Rookie Bo Nix has already earned himself a starting spot.
“Both of those guys looked good,” Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters after the game. “I feel good about all three of them.”
Payton added that he wants to keep all three quarterbacks.
Wilson’s performance has led former NFL quarterback Chase Daniels and analyst Dan Orlovsky to both say Wilson should be a backup somewhere in the league this season.
“Zach Wilson is just huge. He’s earned the No. 2 spot somewhere.” Daniels wrote to X:
“It should be No. 2 in Denver.” Orlovsky posted on social media:
Wilson was the No. 2 overall pick by the Jets in 2021 and eventually ended up with Denver after struggling in New York.
The Jets traded Wilson to Denver in April, and the quarterback appears to feel at home in the Mile High City.
He has worked with Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, who previously served as the backup to Daniel Jones with the Giants.
“For someone who’s only recently become a coach, I think he’s done a great job.” Wilson told The Athletic. “He manages the room well and handles all the little details. And obviously, I think the factor of him having played the position before helps a lot. It’s really nice to have him have played the position before.”
The Broncos open the season on September 8 against the Seattle Seahawks.
