Jets’ draft bust Zach Wilson will get what amounts to an extended tryout Sunday to make the Broncos.
With rookie Bo Nix already named the Week 1 starter, head coach Sean Payton revealed a plan to have Jarrett Stidham start and play 8-12 snaps in the preseason finale against the Cardinals and give the rest of the game to Wilson.
That suggests that Stidham will be No. 2 on the depth chart, after the three quarterbacks appeared to be on even ground when training camp opened.
Could the Broncos keep all three on the 53-man roster after Tuesday’s roster cutdown?
Even after an offseason rule change that allows teams to promote a third quarterback from the practice squad an unlimited number of times and keep him inactive unless he is needed in an emergency situation?
“Sure, certainly,” Payton told reporters this week. “I know the rule recently changed … that if you do, that third comes up [to the game-day roster] without any count. But ultimately, I think most importantly, you’re really looking at your assets when you make that decision.”
Wilson was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft but was a disappointment – a 12-21 record with 23 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions – over three seasons starting in New York.
He was acquired by the Broncos in April along with a seventh-round pick for a sixth-round pick.
The Broncos and Jets are splitting Wilson’s $5.5 million guaranteed salary in 2024.
“We’ve got a pretty good idea the direction we’re going,” Payton said of roster decisions at quarterback. ” I think we’ve got a real good handle on that room specifically. I’ve said it and I’ll say it again: I like that room.”
It was just last week that Payton was raving about Wilson’s improvements during training camp.
It didn’t sound like he was talking about a third-stringer who he was about to cut – unless it was posturing to create a trade market for Wilson.
The Jets learned how dry that market is after last season ended.
“This frickin Zach Wilson now, the last week and a half,” Payton said on the ‘Scoop City’ podcast. “I grabbed him and I said ‘Look, I just want you to focus on having fun and playing. My job is to make you millions, either with us or for another team.’ His last two weeks have been outstanding.”
