Sean Payton is a calculated coach, so we can’t help but wonder if there’s a reason he has suddenly started gushing with praise for Zach Wilson.
Last week, during an interview with Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel, Payton praised Wilson and relayed a message he told the quarterback.
“I grabbed him and I said, ‘Look, I just want you to focus on having fun and playing. My job is to make you millions — either with us or for another team,'” Payton said. “His last two weeks have been outstanding.”
Wilson is still listed as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart. So has Jarrett Stidham looked even better, or is the depth chart just outdated?
Either Payton has truly been impressed with Wilson and he’s a legitimate contender for the QB2 job, or the coach is trying to increase Wilson’s value before a potential cut or trade.
Even after naming Bo Nix the starter earlier this week, Payton continued to praise Wilson.
“Zach probably had one of his better practices today,” Payton said Wednesday. “I don’t know what his red zone numbers were, but he was outstanding. Then when we play this weekend, how do I get Zach some more [reps] with maybe the group ahead? Often times playing that position, you’re counting on the other 10 [players]. There’s no indictment on the other 10 last weekend, but if there’s pressure from one position, it’s harder to do your job at quarterback.”
If the Broncos are going to carry Stidham as their QB2 and release Wilson, hyping him up could help Wilson’s chances of landing on his feet quickly. If Denver wants to try to trade Wilson, it’s understandable that Payton would attempt to increase his trade value.
It’s also possible that Payton is truly impressed with the 25-year-old QB.
“You see the arm talent, but the decision making like today, the timing — there were three throws today where he was on a little bit of a heater,” Payton said Wednesday. “It was impressive. I would say the overall understanding of the offense, the schemes of what we’re doing and decision making. Then also, ‘One play, get on to the next.’ It’s not going to be perfect. [An] incompletion is a good play, it’s not a bad play.
“We’re avoiding sacks, fumbles and interceptions. The turnover-negative play differential, we talk about avoiding those things and keeping drives going. By and large, when you do that, you give yourself a chance to kick field goals or score touchdowns. It’s harder to do that overcoming some of those other things.”
After facing the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason finale on Sunday, the Broncos will trim the roster from 91 players down to a 53-player squad. It will be fascinating to see what happens with Wilson next week.
