Zach Wilson had certainly seen this script before.
An inept Jets offense. Groans from the crowd. A hard-to-stomach Jets loss.
The ex-Jets bust – now the Broncos’ third-string quarterback – was usually the one in the middle of all of it, though. But this time, he was just an observer.
Wilson, whom the Jets selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, returned to MetLife Stadium Sunday afternoon for the Broncos’ 10-9 win over the Jets. He was the Broncos’ emergency quarterback for the game and was not needed.
“A little bittersweet,” Wilson told The Post after the game. “A little bit of good, a little bit of memories of things that didn’t always go well. But overall, good to see a lot of the guys, which I think is the main thing.”
Wilson started 33 games for the Jets across three disastrous seasons, completing 57.0 percent of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions along with a 73.2 passer rating.
The Jets went 12-21 in games Wilson started.
They dumped him off to the Broncos in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick this past offseason. The Jets also sent a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Broncos.
And it doesn’t exactly bode well for Wilson’s outlook that he’s behind rookie Bo Nix and backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham on the depth chart. Nix was mostly woeful on Sunday, completing just 12 of 25 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.
But all around the NFL, former quarterback busts are capitalizing on second – or third and fourth – chances.
There’s Sam Darnold, who has led the Vikings – his fourth team – to a perfect 4-0 start.
There’s Justin Fields, whose strong play has helped the Steelers start 3-1 after he flamed out with the Bears.
Baker Mayfield enjoyed a resurgent season last year with the Buccaneers, cashed in over the offseason and is thriving again this year.
Even Geno Smith has made himself a ton of money and proven he’s a capable NFL starter after his rough Jets tenure.
Can Wilson join that group in the future?
“I’d like to hope so, for sure,” Wilson said. “And that’s what I’m preparing for every day, when my number gets called and my time comes. Just doing the best I can to help the team win and just trying to get better every day.”
Last year, the Jets had planned to let Wilson sit and learn behind Aaron Rodgers, hoping it would allow him to reset and salvage his career.
But that plan infamously lasted just four plays, as Rodgers tore his Achilles and Wilson was forced right back into action.
Rodgers wasn’t at his best on Sunday, completing 24 of 42 passes for no touchdowns or interceptions.
“We get to talk every once in a while,” Wilson said. “He’s a phenomenal dude. Obviously, an incredible quarterback – he does such a good job out there, I’m always trying to learn from his game.”
