Zach Wilson calls Jets trade ‘bittersweet,’ ready for ‘fresh start’ with Broncos

Zach Wilson has been relatively quiet since being traded from the New York Jets to the Denver Broncos last month, but he broke his silence and shared his candid thoughts on the end of his tenure with the team who drafted him second overall in 2021.

“Obviously there are bittersweet moments in everything,” Wilson said of the exchange during his first meeting with reporters Thursday, according to The Denver PostIt’s Parker Gabriel. “I was grateful for my experiences there. And the guys. I miss the guys there and everything too. But at the same time, a fresh start is good. I’m excited to take on a new challenge. “

Wilson played in 34 games while starting 33 during his three-year tenure in New York and led the team to a 12-21 record. He has thrown 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions and has a career completion percentage of 57.0.

The 24-year-old was expected to have the chance to use the 2023 season as a year to learn behind star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but he was spurred into action when Rodgers tore up his four Achilles games in the first game of the season. Wilson never really found his feet and was benched in Week 11 before suffering a season-ending concussion in Week 15.

Wilson will compete with veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham and 2024 No. 12 pick Bo Nix for the starting quarterback job in Denver. He said he was thrilled to have the chance to revive his career.

“I feel like you learn the most when things don’t always go your best,” Wilson said. “So you bank these reps, you learn from them and three years of challenges you learn a lot. Hopefully I can take them with me.”