Zach Wilson excited for 'fresh start' with Broncos after tumultuous Jets tenure

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The New York Jets moved on from quarterback Sam Darnold, the third overall draft pick in 2018, to select Zach Wilson with the second pick three years later.

Another three years have gone by, and Wilson is now with the Denver Broncos.

Wilson's tenure with Gang Green was an utter failure, as he ranks near the bottom in just about every QB stat since the start of his NFL career.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson appears during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado, on Thursday. (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)

After the Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers last year, Wilson was, of course, demoted to the backup role. But Rodgers tore his Achilles on the fourth play of the team's first game of the season, putting Wilson right back in the starter's role.

Wilson was benched, then returned, then got hurt — it was almost a carbon copy of 2022, when he was demoted for poor play and bad PR, then returned, and was benched again because playing in a meaningless game was more of a risk than a benefit (the Jets' words).

Now, Wilson has a "fresh start," and, although it remains to be seen who starts in Week 1, he is excited about the new opportunity.

Quarterback Zach Wilson of the New York Jets walks off the field after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Nov. 12, 2023. (Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

COWBOYS' BRANDIN COOKS REVEALS 2 PLAYERS WHO 'DESERVE' TO BE PAID BY DALLAS

"Obviously, there’s bittersweet moments in everything," Wilson said Thursday in his first comments since the trade. "I was grateful for my