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The New York Jets have reportedly traded quarterback Zach Wilson to the Denver Broncos as part of a move that also includes a late-round pick swap, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Peliserro reporteed on Monday (April 22).
"Former #Jets starting QB and No. 2 pick Zach Wilson is on the move. Sources say he’s being traded to the #Broncos, hoping for a fresh start. The deal includes a late-round pick swap (6th for a 7th) and NYJ will pay some of Wilson’s roughly $5.5M salary," Rapoport wrote on his X account.
The Jets previously granted Wilson, 24, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, permission to seek a trade this offseason. New York had reportedly received trade offers for Wilson, but none that it liked so far, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio last month.
Head coach Robert Saleh declined to speak about Wilson while addressing reporters at the NFL Annual Meetings, deferring all decisions to general manager Joe Douglas. Johnson had previously stated, "We need a backup quarterback," during the NFL Honors ceremony earlier this year, adding, "We didn't have one last year."
Wilson took over as the Jets' quarterback after veteran Aaron Rodgers, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade last April, suffered a season-ending injury on the first drive of the 2023 NFL season. The former No. 2 overall pick went 4-7 as a starter, throwing for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions on 221 of 368 passing, eventually being benched late in the season.