Broncos aren’t picking up fifth-year option on Zach Wilson

Zach Wilson wasn’t necessary brought in for a while, as the Denver Broncos discovered when they took Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall choice.

Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that the quarterback, who was chosen with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the Broncos.

There would have been a $22.408 million maximum charge associated with that option.

The fifth-year option is also acquired by teams who trade for past first-round picks who are still in the first year of their contracts. For instance, the Seahawks acquired Fant’s 2023 option after dealing for the 2019 Broncos first-round selection Noah Fant in the 2022 Russell Wilson trade. Later this year, they re-signed him to a multi-year extension.

Zach Wilson will still “compete” for the job.

Zach Wilson was acquired by the Broncos a few weeks ago, thus this does not imply that they are against him.

Sean Payton remarked last week, “We were really happy to bring Zach here.” It merely took a little while; there was no set timeframe. Put another way, that’s what Jets players George Paton and Joe Douglas have been working on. It was not a smokescreen, then.

“.. We were aware that we intended to expand the space, and I believe I mentioned as much in talks with the owners. We thought that was a great opportunity.

Although the Broncos were considering other quarterbacks in March, they finally decided on Zach Wilson because of his unrealized potential and contract worth. For 2024, the Jets paid Wilson half of his compensation.

“We saw talent with a player who was the No. 2 pick in the draft just three years ago, and yet there were a number of veteran backups that signed contracts,” Payton stated. “We adore his qualities.”

I learned a long time ago to “just let them play” from Bill Parcells. We must make the most of the repetitions we have and allow them to grow; the rest will work themselves out.