The Broncos have been pleased with the way Zach Wilson has played this preseason.
“We're not going to let the team down,” Broncos general manager George Paton recently told the Denver Gazette. Praise for former first-round draft pick“has every quality in the world to be a starter,” despite losing the starting quarterback position to rookie Bo Nix.
“He has all the makings of a starting pitcher,” Paton said of Wilson. “It's just really cool to watch him. I don't have any expectations, really. He just goes out there and plays football. He has all the makings of a starting pitcher. He's still got some things to work through. You saw what he can do last week (against the Cardinals). He can pitch as well as anybody in the league. … I think he'll be a starter in this league.”
Wilson, 25, began 2021 as the Jets' starting quarterback but was benched multiple times during his shaky three-year tenure in New York.
He was traded to the Broncos in April to team up with veteran Jarrett Stidham.
Later that month, the team selected the Knicks with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Wilson struggled early in the offseason with inconsistent performances in OTAs.
He then came into his own in the Broncos' final preseason game against the Cardinals, throwing for 255 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday.
Wilson ultimately made the Broncos' 53-man roster along with Steadyham and supported the Broncos' decision to name Nicks the starter.
“Yeah, I was excited for him. I mean, obviously, I don't think it was that much of a surprise. I thought he had a great camp. I told him I was excited about the opportunity. I really believe they have him in a good situation.” [head coach] Sean [Payton] They did a great job,” Wilson said after Sunday's game.
“Bo's just getting better and better, so I'm excited to see what he can do and I think he's ready for it.”
Denver is one of 13 teams With three quarterbacks He was included on the original 53-man roster.
Denver will be giving Wilson a fresh start after he flourished in place of an injured Aaron Rodgers last season, and his preseason audition could spark interest in a new starting role elsewhere.
The Broncos visit the Seahawks in their season opener on Sept. 8.
