Could Zach Wilson win Broncos' starting job over Bo Nix this summer?
Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson.
Some within the NFL seemingly believe that head coach Sean Payton could name former New York Jets flop Zach Wilson the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback over rookie Bo Nix before Denver's regular-season opener at the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8.
"According to several pro personnel executives who have evaluated the Broncos' quarterbacks, Wilson -- the No. 2 overall pick by the Jets in 2021 -- has the liveliest arm and potentially the biggest portfolio of throws he can make," Jeff Legwold of ESPN explained in a piece published on Monday. "He never found his footing in New York, recording a sub-40 QBR in each of his three seasons and completing 57% of his passes with 23 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions."
The Broncos took a flier on Wilson shortly before they made Nix the 12th overall pick of this year's draft on April 25.
Many have assumed Payton will want to immediately start Nix over both Wilson and journeyman Jarrett Stidham, but some have suggested the first-year pro could sit through at least the Seattle game and Denver's home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 15.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh benched Wilson multiple times across the past two seasons, and the 24-year-old failed to look the part while serving as a fill-in option after future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles early in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign.
Saleh acknowledged in January the Jets "probably" should have given Wilson a redshirt rookie season, but Payton may feel he doesn't have such a luxury after the Broncos put the signal-caller into a contract year by declining his option.
"Whoever winds up coming out, they're going to give us the best chance to win," Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton recently said about the three quarterbacks who will resume competing for the starting job once training-camp sessions open in late July. "I know the politics of the game. I know everybody is looking for [Nix] to be the guy."
As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Nix tied for fifth among the betting favorites at +1800 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the upcoming season. Wilson could impact that race if he's allowed to play against Seattle on the second Sunday of September.
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