Zach Wilson inking a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. He’ll be a valuable asset for the team as the primary backup quarterback. Last month, that all changed when the Dolphins scored a coup by signing Wilson at the start of free agency. This move goes a long way towards solidifying their QB depth. The team took this step amid increasing worries over starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s injury history. They knew they could do better, and they saw an opportunity for a dependable solution.
The Dolphins’ agreement with Wilson makes him the fifth highest-paid backup quarterback in the league, underscoring the team’s confidence in his potential to contribute significantly. Head Coach Mike McDaniel raved about Wilson’s freakish physical characteristics. He emphasized that they’ve been watching him since his days in college at Brigham Young University (BYU). Wilson definitely was a “direct calculated target” McDaniel said, for the Dolphins. Even with competition from other players with more NFL experience, Wilson was a standout.
Wilson’s tenure in the NFL has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. The New York Jets traded up and made him the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He proved unable to live up to the massive expectations while with the team. In 34 career games, he threw for 6,293 yards and played in 23 touchdowns to 25 interceptions. Following his time with the Jets, he was traded to the Denver Broncos. There, he won the backup role behind rookie quarterback Bo Nix during his 2024 season.
Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier said they considered a number of high-profile backups in free agency. Especially when Wilson then proceeded to be the ideal choice for the squad.
“We were in on a number of top-flight backup quarterbacks in the league,” – Chris Grier
Grier went into detail about how difficult free agency was. Lastly, he focused in on how financial limitations and compensatory pick considerations limited their options on certain players that they could target.
“We were runners-up for a couple of them that we wanted to get here, and for some financial restraints and compensatory pick stuff, we just couldn’t go to those prices,” – Chris Grier
While these challenges remain, Grier sounded excited about Wilson’s pickup, sharing how so many players wanted to come play for the Dolphins.
“But all of those guys wanted to come here,” – Chris Grier
He admitted that just about as much thought went into finding a proven backup, with Tagovailoa’s injury history in mind.
“It’s a position we do not take lightly,” – Chris Grier
His shift from starting quarterback to backup has opened up a different perspective that’s given him a strong feel for the subtleties of the game. His 2024 reps increased his processing and pocket awareness. These skills will be integral, as he enters an already-loaded Miami roster. McDaniel pointed to this rate of growth when testifying to Wilson’s economic development.
“I think it’s layered. This was something that was on our mind for a considerable amount of time…,” – Mike McDaniel
McDaniel pointed to the systemic forces working against Wilson early in his own career. Further, Brian admitted that the different offensive environment at BYU could’ve made it tougher for Wilson to adjust to the NFL.
“Like at BYU he was launching it from about 10 and 11 yards deep…there was going to be some nuanced growth to his game that I think it is close to impossible to excel that early in that new form of football that he was playing (in the NFL),” – Mike McDaniel
Wilson’s enthusiasm for coming to the Dolphins is contagious. He expressed eagerness to work with Miami’s coaching staff and players, looking forward to contributing positively to the team’s success in upcoming seasons.
And this is a Dolphins team that just faced the most intimidating setup in football. Wilson, unfortunately, was knocked out of the game with a painful rib injury. This unfortunate occurrence left only Tim Boyle and recently signed Tyler Huntley as the only viable passers on the roster. The necessity for a reliable backup became even more evident, prompting Miami’s aggressive pursuit of a player who could step into the role effectively.
Even through Wilson’s dismal failures this season in New York, his talent has been hard to ignore. He was considered a once-in-a-generation prospect while in college. To date, his play has not matched up with that lofty draft spot. Grier’s commitment to addressing quarterback depth reflects a calculated approach to building a competitive team while recognizing Wilson’s potential for future growth.
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