Ex-Broncos QB Called ‘Next Daniel Jones’ in Free Agency Prediction
In terms of quarterback career revivals, we are in the midst of a golden era in the NFL of former high draft picks getting another chance and becoming stars with a team other than the one who drafted them.
Every year seems to bring another example.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield brought his career back to life in 2023. Current Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold did it with the
The latest — and maybe greatest — to do it is Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, who has his team off to a 3-1 start in 2025 after he flamed out with the
All 3 Top 10 picks in the NFL draft. All 3 hitting it big and doing so not on the teams that drafted them.
It begs the question — who will it be in 2026?
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski thinks that player could be former Denver Broncos quarterback and current Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Zach Wilson.
Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, was selected by the New York Jets and is on his third team after spending one season as a backup for the Broncos in 2024.
He signed a 1-year, $6 million contract with the Dolphins in March.
“On the surface, the chance to join the Miami Dolphins looked like an excellent opportunity,” Sobleski wrote on September 27. “Though an 0-3 start with Mike McDaniel’s seat heating up and starter Tua Tagovailoa being questioned at every turn has the makings of a combustible situation. Even so, Wilson has already grown from the 21-year-old old quarterback who entered the NFL as the second overall pick in the 2021 draft class … Wilson could easily find a way into a lineup again and possibly show the natural ability that originally made him a top-three draft pick.”
History Says Wilson Will Likely Start This Season
During training camp, Sobleski called Wilson “the NFL’s most important backup quarterback” headed into 2025.
“Zach Wilson may be the most important backup in the NFL considering who he is backing up this season,” Sobleski wrote on August 28. “
There is no quarterback in the NFL who seems more prone to injury than Tagovailoa due to his history of taking hits to the head — a history many think should have already ended his NFL career and one that seems to indicate the Dolphins will need Wilson to step into the starting lineup at some point this season.
Broncos Obtained Wilson in 2024 Trade
If Wilson does one day ascend to becoming a full time NFL starter, he can credit his time in Denver and with head coach Sean Payton for jump starting that process.
Wilson was traded to the Broncos in April 2024 after 3 season with the Jets in which he, at one point, seemed like one of the franchise’s more reviled players in recent memory.
After the Broncos got Wilson and a 2024 seventh round pick in exchange for a 2024 sixth round pick, Wilson was allowed to spend the next year learning a complex offense and refurbishing his image as a dutiful backup behind
Bears Trade Proposal Sends Fan-Favorite QB to Team in Desperate Need
The Chicago Bears, at 2-2, just about crept past the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon, in a 25-24 battle.
And whilst Caleb Williams has hardly been perfect to commence his second season in the league, the signs of both his ability and gradual improvement have certainly been on show.
However, this trade proposal concerns not Williams – who will remain, unless something goes very much awry, with the Bears for the foreseeable future – but with backup, Tyson Bagent.
Bagent has been a solid backup for both Williams and former Bears starter, Justin Fields, over his three-year period in the league. And despite being a fan favorite amongst much of the Bears faithful, could find himself moved to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tyson Bagent Would Be A Desired Target For Cincinnati
Fundamentally, after another damning defeat on Monday night, the Bengals know the cannot proceed for much longer with Jake Browning, who put up 125 passing yards against the Denver Broncos.
On the season, since starter, Joe Burrow, went down with turf toe in week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the former University of Washington man has 506 passing yards, three touchdowns and 5 interceptions for a very uninspiring 67.9 passer rating.
When it comes to high profile names to replace the former AFC Champion, former undrafted free agent, Bagent is not exactly the first that comes to mind. But it could sneakily be one of the smarter ones.
Bagent went 2-2 as a starter in 2023 in lieu of Fields, and whilst he did show himself to a be a little interception-prone, he also managed to push the ball downfield and get things rolling on offense at a time when virtually
Not only could Bagent give Cincy that spark on offense that the team is sorely lacking without Burrow, but he represents an ascending player, in theory, who still is getting better and better.
Even if he does not vastly improve from the level we have seen from him over the past few years, a future age-related decline is very far down the line for the 25 year old – something that cannot be said for other much-touted veteran trade options like Jameis Winston or Russell Wilson.
What Would It Take For The Bears To Part With Tyson Bagent?
The former Shepherd University man is not exactly an irreplaceable component of their offense, critical to them making a run for the NFC North title and/or playoffs. But he is still the QB2 ahead of third string veteran, Case Keenum.
Chicago would prefer to hold onto Bagent if they can, but given the presence of Keenum on the roster, one imagines that if the right offer came through, general manager, Ryan Poles, could certainly be willing to deal the third year QB.
The team would not need to get a super-haul for Bagent’s services, but a pair of low-end day 3 picks over the next couple years should be enough to get the deal done.
Chicago Bears receive: 2026 sixth round pick, 2027 seventh round pick
Cincinnati Bengals receive: Tyson Bagent
