For Zach Wilson, his Jets divorce this offseason that landed him in Denver is “bittersweet.”
“Clearly, there’s bittersweet moments in the whole lot,” Wilson stated Thursday in his first feedback because the April commerce. “I used to be grateful for my experiences there and the fellows. I miss the fellows on the market and the whole lot too. However on the identical time, a recent begin is sweet. I’m excited to assault a brand new problem.”
The Jets traded Wilson to the Broncos this offseason to offer the 2021 No. 2 choose a recent begin after a once-promising relationship didn’t pan out as anticipated.
Wilson, 24, didn’t play properly when given the chance, throwing 23 touchdowns in comparison with 25 interceptions in 34 video games (33 begins), together with final 12 months’s eight-touchdown, seven-interception displaying.
He posted a completion share of simply 57 p.c.
The Jets additionally failed to offer a secure surroundings for Wilson throughout his time with the workforce, with offensive line points and underwhelming offensive coordinators.
Though the Jets tried to play up the concept of Wilson studying as Aaron Rodgers’ backup after which being able to take the reins as soon as Rodgers left city, that concept all the time appeared like it might be the best-case state of affairs slightly than actuality.
Wilson would then wrestle — getting benched for a second straight season — after Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles 4 performs into the season.
The Jets in the end traded Wilson for pennies, taking a sixth-round choose in alternate for a seventh-round choice.
“I really feel such as you study probably the most when issues don’t all the time go the most effective,” Wilson stated. “So that you financial institution these reps, you study from them and three years of issues being difficult you’re going to study lots of issues. So hopefully, I can hold carrying these with me.”
Wilson would have had no path to beginning with the Jets barring one other Rodgers harm, however he at the least has an opportunity to be the Broncos’ beginning quarterback.
Whereas the Broncos hope first-round choose Bo Nix is the franchise quarterback they’ve lacked in recent times, it’s not unusual for rookies to sit down firstly of the 12 months.
Veteran Jarrett Stidham can be within the combine.
“Personally, I feel competitors brings out the most effective in anyone, I sit up for what we have now,” Wilson stated. “I respect the possession from the highest down, only for the chance to be right here to compete.”
Wilson stated his quick time together with his new workforce has been “superior” and he’s excited to work with Sean Payton, who famously ripped Wilson’s former Jets offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett.
“Clearly, he’s finished an outstanding job for so long as I can bear in mind,” Wilson stated of Payton. “I liked watching him and Drew (Brees) again within the day and the effectivity they performed with, how constant it was, how explosive they have been as an offense and simply taking what the protection provides you. Simply seeking to continue to grow and studying each single day from him.”
