Former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has opened up about his tumultuous tenure with the team, expressing gratitude for his experiences while acknowledging the challenges he faced. Now with the Denver Broncos, Wilson is optimistic about the opportunity for a fresh start and is eager to learn from his past to improve his game.
After three tumultuous seasons with the New York Jets, former franchise quarterback Zach Wilson has finally found a new home in the Denver Broncos. The second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson's tenure with the Jets was marked by struggles on the field, inconsistent play, and a series of off-field incidents.
However, despite the challenges, Wilson remains grateful for his experiences in New York.
"Obviously, there's bittersweet moments in everything," Wilson said in his first comments since the trade. "I was grateful for my experiences there and the guys. I miss the guys out there and everything, too. But at the same time, a fresh start is good. I'm excited to attack a new challenge."
Wilson's Jets career was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. In 2021, he flashed his potential, throwing for over 2,300 yards and nine touchdowns. However, the following season was a disaster, as Wilson struggled with injuries, poor decision-making, and a lack of chemistry with his receivers.
Off the field, Wilson was involved in several incidents that drew negative attention, including a sideline spat with an assistant coach and a social media controversy. These incidents further damaged his reputation and contributed to his eventual departure from the Jets.
In Denver, Wilson will have the opportunity to start fresh and prove that he can be a franchise quarterback. The Broncos have a solid receiving corps led by Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, as well as a young and talented defense. Wilson will be competing for the starting job with Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall pick from Oregon, and Jarrett Stidham.
Wilson is embracing the competition and is determined to learn from his past mistakes.
"I feel like you learn the most when things don't always go the best," Wilson said. "So you bank those reps, you learn from them and three years of things being challenging, you're going to learn a lot of things. So hopefully, I can keep carrying those with me."
In 34 games (33 starts) with the Jets, Wilson completed 57.0% of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. His quarterback rating was a dismal 73.2.
The Broncos are hoping that a change of scenery and a fresh start will help Wilson unlock his potential and become the quarterback they believe he can be.
