Jets trading QB Zach Wilson to Broncos, source says - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets, who thought they had the quarterback position locked up for more than a decade when they drafted Zach Wilson with the No. 2 pick in 2021, traded him to the Denver Broncos on Monday, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Based on their original investment, the Jets got pennies on the dollar — they will receive a sixth-round selection (No. 203) in this week's NFL draft from the Broncos, who in addition to Wilson will get a seventh-round pick (No. 256). The Jets and Broncos are splitting the $5.5 million Wilson is due this season with each team paying $2.75 million, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

The trade means that only one of the five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2021 draft remains with his original team — Trevor Lawrence, who was picked No. 1 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The other four — Wilson, Trey Lance (No. 3 pick), Justin Fields (No. 11) and Mac Jones (No. 15) — have all been traded.

The Jets-Wilson breakup came as no surprise, as the franchise announced Feb. 28 that it had granted him permission to speak to other teams about a potential trade. Wilson wanted a fresh start after three tumultuous seasons, including last year as a backup. The Jets told him as far back as last season that they would try to accommodate him, sources said.

Unless the Broncos draft a quarterback, Zach Wilson will likely compete with Jarrett Stidham for the starting job.

It took longer than expected, leaving Wilson in limbo and prompting him to skip the first week of the Jets' voluntary offseason program.

The trade leaves Aaron Rodgers, 40, coming off Achilles surgery, and newly signed backup Tyrod Taylor, 34, as the only quarterbacks on the roster. The Jets might draft a quarterback