SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former BYU and current New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is set to earn over $35 million over four years on his rookie deal, according to multiple reports.
The Jets selected Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29.
According to ESPN’s Mike Tannebaum, Wilson will make $35.2 million from the Jets, including $22.9 million on a signing bonus.
Spotrac listed Wilson’s rookie deal as a four-year, $35.1 million fully guaranteed contract.
The rookie deal also includes a fifth-year option for New York.
About Zach Wilson
By becoming a top two selection, Wilson became the highest NFL Draft pick in BYU football history.
After growing up a fan of BYU’s upstate rivals and committing to play for nearby foe Boise State, Wilson decided to attend BYU following his time at Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah.
Wilson began his true freshman season as the Cougars’ backup quarterback. Midway through the 2018 season, he took over as the team’s starter and led BYU to a bowl game victory to finish on the year. In the postseason win, Wilson went a perfect 18/18 passing for 317 yards and four touchdowns.
Following his first season in Provo, Wilson underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his throwing shoulder. The quarterback said the injury dated back to his time in high school.
The surgery caused Wilson to miss BYU’s spring practices and limited him during fall camp in 2019.
Wilson’s sophomore campaign had its ups as well as its downs. He helped the Cougars to big wins over Tennessee and USC before suffering a thumb injury midway through the schedule. Wilson’s injury required surgery and it sidelined him for a month. After returning to the field, he helped BYU finish the season with a 2-2 record in its final four games, including a bowl game loss.
The rollercoaster season forced BYU’s coaching staff to open up a quarterback competition between Wilson, Jared Hall, and Baylor Romney. Both Hall and Romney helped the Cougars to victories during Wilson’s absence following the thumb injury.
Ultimately, Wilson won the starting quarterback job heading into the 2020 season. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, BYU was forced to play an adjusted schedule that looked much different than its original slate of games, which featured multiple games against Power Five programs.
Despite the pandemic and playing a schedule that was throw together over the course of the season, Wilson performed spectacularly as a junior and led BYU to an 11-1 record, including a bowl victory over UCF.
Wilson finished the season passing for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions with a 73.5 percent completion rate. The quarterback also had 70 carries for 254 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.
In January, Wilson announced that he would forgo his remaining years of collegiate eligibility and enter the NFL Draft.
Wilson ended his BYU career passing for 7,652 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions with a 67.6 percent completion rate. He also ran the ball for 642 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
