What is Zach Wilson’s net worth and is he a good fit for the Denver Broncos? Zachary Kapono Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Brigham Young University, has had a short but tumultuous NFL career. The son of Lisa Wilson and Michael Wilson, Wilson was with the New York Jets for three years before being traded to the Denver Broncos this past offseason.
Though he is most vocal about his faith in Jesus Christ, the former Corner Canyon High School standout has carved out a unique path for himself while competing with three brothers. Zach Wilson is entering a crossroads in his young career. Though many wonder about Zach Wilson’s net worth, there is a lot more to Zachary Kapono Wilson.
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Draft Year and Early Years with the Jets
Zach Wilson was a multi-year starting quarterback at Brigham Young University. Wilson threw for 3,692 passing yards that year, rising up the ranks in the 2021 NFL Draft in the process. Wilson led the BYU Cougars to an 11-1 record, and the No.11 ranking in college football.
As the starting quarterback for the BYU Cougars, Wilson showed promise throughout the early stages of his college career. He was the youngest quarterback to start at BYU. After Wilson played in nine games as a true sophomore, he was on many watch lists. By the end of 2020, the young quarterback elevated himself near the top of the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft while being named BYU’s MVP.
Zach Wilson went second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, picked only after college football prodigy Trevor Lawrence. Zach Wilson’s net worth would drastically shoot up as top picks in the draft tend to carry a big cap hit. The talented quarterback was now the player of the future for the New York Jets.
Rookie Year
Prior to his rookie season, Zach Wilson signed a four-year deal with the New York Jets. Zach Wilson’s net worth shot up substantially because of it. The former BYU Cougars quarterback got a massive contract with the New York Jets, complete with a $22.9 million signing bonus.
Though Wilson’s contract was standard in terms of being a rookie contract, there is little doubt that his draft status and signing bonus added to the pressure. Like most other NFL contracts, Zach Wilson had a team option for a fifth year after his four-year deal.
Zach Wilson had an up-and-down rookie season. Wilson started the year as the starting quarterback for the 2021 season. Wilson missed four games with a sprained PCL in his right knee, ultimately starting nine games that year. Though Zach Wilson’s net worth was healthy, his knee was not.
In the first year of his rookie contract, Zach Wilson finished with 2,334 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Wilson started 13 games that year, earning his first win in the NFL against the Tennessee Titans. Though many would have preferred that Zach Wilson have more passing yards, it was hardly a bad year. His 6.4 att yds avg would actually be his best to date.
Second Year
Wilson suffered a meniscus tear in the preseason opener, leading him to miss the Jets home opener (and first three games) in 2022. By this time, Zach Wilson was starting to earn endorsement deals and explore other business ventures in addition to his base salary. Getting a roster bonus, as big NFL contracts do, only added to his net worth.
Wilson made his season debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. Zach Wilson threw for a career-high 355 passing yards a few weeks later against the Patriots, though the day was marred with three interceptions. Wilson’s contract wasn’t a talking point yet, but it soon would be.
Wilson finished the season with just six touchdowns that year. He would eventually fall beyond backup quarterback, being named the third-string backup following a Week 16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Zach Wilson Career Stats 2023 Season
Zach Wilson started the 2023 season as a backup thanks to a massive trade that brought in Aaron Rodgers to be starter. Wilson had a quiet training camp learning behind the legend. Unfortunately for the Jets, Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury on the first snap of the season.
Wilson started 11 games in relief of Rodgers, managing just eight passing touchdowns and 2,271 passing yards. Wilson started his final game as a Jet against the Miami Dolphins, ultimately suffering a concussion that would rule him out for the rest of the season.
Zach Wilson and his time in New York will go down in history. He was made a scapegoat in 2023, given much of the grief for the Jets’ struggles. Though he will have a dead cap hit, the Jets have since moved on from him, trading Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a sixth-round pick.
Zach Wilson Salary for the Broncos
Wilson will be a free agent following this season. Zach Wilson’s endorsements have dried up since leaving New York, though his business ventures remain. He may have endorsement deals if he plays well in Denver, but his salary will have to do.
Wilson is in the final year of his four-year contract originally signed with the Jets. He will earn a base salary of $2.72 million for the Broncos this year before becoming a free agent. Zach Wilson’s net worth going forward will depend greatly on this coming season.
The Broncos voided his fifth-year option, meaning that this is it for Zach Wilson and his current deal. His net worth is an impressive $10 million but this season will be pivotal if he hopes to get a new deal, earn endorsement deals, and bolster his net worth further.
Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson adjusts his headband while stretching before practice at the NFL football team’s training headquarters Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
What is Zach Wilson Net Worth?
Zach Wilson net worth is roughly $10 million. Though his four-year contract carried a tag of $35 million, he was given $22 million as a guaranteed signing bonus. That is a major part of his net worth, but he has a few lucrative endorsement deals as well.
For a time, Zach Wilson had endorsement deals with names like Bose, Giorgio Armani, Verizon, Nike, Chipotle, BMW, Traeger Grill, and more. Some of those have since gone away, especially with the turmoil he suffered in his third year with the Jets.
Wilson will compete for the starting job in Denver this season, but his future is in question. He’s young and being a former high pick is certainly a good thing because teams will be compelled to give him another shot. The longer he plays, the better his net worth becomes.
Height, Weight, and Wingspan
According to his NFL Draft profile, Zach Wilson is 6’2”, 214 lbs, and has a wingspan of 74 1/4”.
Is Wilson the Quarterback That the Broncos Need?
Zach Wilson has far more things to worry about aside from his net worth. He was meant to be the future for the Jets but finds himself at a career crossroads entering just his fourth season. Many believe that he was put into a scapegoat position by the Jets a year ago, but he has to perform.
The Broncos will give Wilson a good, long look in training camp for certain. Wilson still has plenty of arm talent and he’s just 24 years old. With the right coaching, Sean Payton has faith that he can get the most out of the talented BYU standout.
How does he rival compared to Russell Wilson (now in Pittsburgh Steelers) and Jarrett Stidham, who were the quarterbacks in the past two seasons?
Zach seems to have a lot to work to rival Russell’s numbers for Broncos, especially in touchdowns and passing yards.
The Bo Nix Problem
The biggest issue facing Wilson right now is the presence of Bo Nix. Nix was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The first round of the draft was historic, featuring six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks.
The Broncos know that they are in a rebuild, so there is a very good chance that Nix starts from Day One. For Wilson, that means limited opportunities. He will get a long look in the preseason but may be best suited attempting to carve out a role as a valuable backup.
Though they don’t get the fanfare, some NFL backup quarterbacks have an impressive net worth. By being a good locker room guy, supporting his teammates, and showing up to work hard, Wilson could still earn an extension or a new deal for 2025.
Bo Nix since Week 10
🔸 83.5 passing grade (4th)
🔸 8 Passing TDs (T-1st)
🔸 0 INTs
🔸 85.3% adjusted completion percentage (2nd)
🔸 118.6 passer rating (2nd) pic.twitter.com/rbheT9J2Xn— PFF (@PFF) November 25, 2024
Wilson’s Future in Denver and Beyond
For now, Zach Wilson is no doubt happy to just be out of New York. The media is a pressure cooker and has made his life very challenging. Then again, his coach openly making him a scapegoat and seemingly not having the best intentions for his health didn’t help anything.
Wilson enters training camp with a chip on his shoulder and all the motivation in the world. He has to know that the Broncos will likely go to Nix no matter what. If that is the case, then Wilson needs to show up to work every day, be the best teammate that he can possibly be, and show progress in his development.
Working with Payton is a good start. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback worked with Drew Brees for years, helping to take him from a solid quarterback with potential to a legend with NFL records galore. While that might be aiming high for Wilson, working with that kind of coach is a great start.
Given the health of quarterbacks in the NFL today, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility to think that Wilson could see action if Nix is hurt. If he can display an aptitude for the offense and limit his mistakes, Wilson may show just enough to get a second contract.
Free Agent In 2025?
Some were surprised when the Broncos traded for Wilson from the New York Jets. While he initially faced challenges, his preseason performance showed signs of growing confidence.
Although Bo Nix has solidified the starting quarterback role, having Wilson return as the primary backup in 2025 could be a smart move. The Broncos might let Wilson explore free agency and consider re-signing him if he doesn’t secure a more appealing offer.
Final Thoughts
Zach Wilson has faced more challenges than most NFL players in just three NFL seasons. Though his performance on the field never quite matched his potential, it is safe to say that Wilson was not given the best environment to work in. The hope is that a change of scenery can benefit him in ways that the Jets coaching staff could not.
Wilson clearly has talent. He is mobile, athletic, and can make just about any throw. His decision-making definitely needs work, but how much of it is a confidence issue? Being beaten up and blamed for the Jets’ problems no doubt had an impact. Though his net worth is just fine, Zach Wilson is facing the most important season of his short NFL career.
