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Zach Wilson advocates for backup job in Broncos' final preseason game

Zach Wilson made the most of the Denver Broncos' final preseason game and showed why he should be the team's second quarterback this season.

Wilson, the Jets' former first-round pick, finished the Broncos' exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals completing 16 of 25 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in Denver's 38-12 win.

The former Jets starter has been fighting for the backup job in Denver since the start of training camp and made quite an impression in the final preseason game on Sunday.

Wilson, who also scored a touchdown, even threw an impressive 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Johnson in the fourth quarter.

Zach Wilson of the Denver Broncos is pressured by Jesse Luketa of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of their preseason game at Empower Field at Mile High on August 25, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images

Jarrett Stidham was briefly used during the game and the quarterback completed 2 of 4 passes for 28 yards before Wilson entered the game late in the first quarter.

Rookie Bo Nix has already secured his place in the starting lineup.

“Both guys looked good,” Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters after the game. “We feel comfortable with all three of them.”

Payton added that he wants to keep all three quarterbacks.

Because of Wilson's performance, both former NFL quarterback Chase Daniels and analyst Dan Orlovsky said he should be the backup somewhere in the league this season.

“Zach Wilson is absolutely amazing. He deserves a No. 2 spot somewhere,” Daniels wrote on X.

“Should be No. 2 in Denver,” Orlovsky wrote on social media.

Wilson landed in Denver after persistent struggles in New York after being selected second overall by the Jets in 2021.

Zach Wilson of the Denver Broncos prepares to pass the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of a preseason game at Empower Field At Mile High on August 25, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images

The Jets traded Wilson to Denver in April and the quarterback seems to be feeling reasonably comfortable in the Mile High City.

He has worked with Broncos quarterback coach Davis Webb, who previously worked as a backup to the Giants' Daniel Jones.

CBS Sports football reporter AJ Ross interviews Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson following an NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, August 25, 2024. AP

“For someone who just started coaching recently, I think he's doing a phenomenal job,” Wilson told The Athletic. “He's doing a great job in terms of how he commands his meeting rooms and going over every little thing. Obviously, the aspect of him having played the position before, I think it helps a lot. I'm really happy he's played the position.”

The Broncos open the season on September 8 against the Seattle Seahawks.

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