Zach Wilson had a heartwarming moment with his fiancée, Nicolette Dellanno, on the field during Sunday’s preseason finale, where the quarterback played a pivotal role in leading the Denver Broncos to a decisive 38-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
The couple, who got engaged in June, shared a warm embrace at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, a moment captured in a video that Dellanno shared on her Instagram Story. The video highlighted the couple’s connection and support, as Wilson continues to make his mark with the Broncos.
Dellanno, an influencer with a growing following, also reposted a clip of Wilson’s impressive 46-yard touchdown pass to Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson, which came with 6:22 left in the fourth quarter. Proudly showcasing her fiancé’s on-field success, she captioned the video, “Unbelievable,” expressing her admiration for his performance.
The couple’s engagement in June was marked by Wilson’s romantic proposal during a vacation to Italy, where he presented Dellanno with a stunning oval-cut diamond ring. Despite their growing public profile, Wilson and Dellanno have maintained a relatively private relationship. They were first linked in June 2022 when they were spotted together at a Yankees game, sparking speculation about their relationship.
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Wilson had a strong showing in Sunday’s game, completing 16 of 25 passes for 251 yards, throwing two touchdowns, and avoiding any interceptions. His performance came in relief of Jarrett Stidham, who started the game but played only the opening series.
The Broncos’ quarterback situation has been a topic of much discussion, especially after Bo Nix, the team’s No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, won the starting job. Stidham, now competing for the backup role, expressed his disappointment about not securing the starting position. “I’m very disappointed,” he admitted, reflecting on the competition’s outcome.
Stidham had taken over as the Broncos’ starter in the final two games of the previous season after the team benched Russell Wilson. Russell Wilson was later released and subsequently signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. Zach Wilson joined the Broncos in April after a challenging third season with the New York Jets. He had been thrust into the starting role for the Jets after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the season opener against the Buffalo Bills on September 11.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has indicated his confidence in the team’s quarterback depth, including Wilson’s role on the roster. “We have enough money. I understand the question. We feel comfortable with those three quarterbacks,” Payton stated. “I think I have told you already, but I see the three of them making it.”
Wilson, despite missing out on the starting job, expressed his support for Nix and confidence in Payton’s decision-making. “I mean, I don’t think it was a surprise too much, obviously. Right? I think he’s had a great camp,” Wilson said during the post-game press conference. He continued, “… I really believe they’re putting him in a good situation. I think Sean has done a phenomenal job… I’m excited to see what he can do, and I think he’s ready for it.”
As the Broncos gear up for the regular season, set to kick off against the Seattle Seahawks on September 8, Wilson’s solid preseason performance and his supportive relationship with Dellanno will likely be key factors in his continued development with the team.
