Zach Wilson has hit the proverbial journeyman phase of his career, inking a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins to back up Tua Tagovailoa.
Despite signing as a reserve, Wilson still views himself as a QB1.
"I still believe I can be a starter in this league whenever that opportunity comes," Wilson said Monday, via the Associated Press. "And so I just try to put myself in the best situation with the best team and coaches and do the absolute best that I can."
The New York Jets selected Wilson No. 2 overall in 2021. It was an admittedly "challenging" time for the BYU product. He started 33 games in his first three seasons, struggling through the ups and downs many young quarterbacks on inconsistent clubs experience. He completed 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards and 23 touchdowns with 25 interceptions. Gang Green did him no favors, with the young quarterback getting yanked in and out of the lineup, particularly in his final season following the Aaron Rodgers injury.
Wilson spent the 2024 season with the Denver Broncos, learning under the tutelage of Sean Payton. Despite not taking a regular-season snap behind Bo Nix, Wilson said he learned much from the one-year stint in the Mile High City.
"Just processing in the NFL, pocket awareness, the ability to kind of progress more smoothly through my progressions and get the ball out of my hands, and just maybe my understanding of the game, I feel like has just increasingly gotten better since my first year in the league," Wilson said.
Wilson hopes to continue to learn and develop under Mike McDaniel in Miami, developing his mental acumen behind Tagovailoa.
"What's not to like?" he said. "Extremely explosive offense. They do a great job, and it starts from coach McDaniel and goes all the way down. You've seen how Tua's development has gone since he's been there. I'm just excited to be with those guys."
Ideally for Miami, Tagovailoa stays completely healthy for the second time in his career, and the Dolphins do not need to see if Wilson has turned the corner. However, if injury strikes, the 25-year-old is in line to get his shot.
Former Jets quarterbacks have become some of the best distressed assets in recent seasons, with Geno Smith and Sam Darnold proving they can thrive outside New York. Wilson could very well be the next in line.
