Zach Wilson is back in the AFC East this offseason after agreeing to a fully guaranteed one-year, $6 million deal with the Miami Dolphins.
The contract, which could reach $10 million with incentives, marks his third team in as many seasons following a challenging start to his NFL career.
While the 2024 season saw Wilson remain on the Denver Broncos’ roster as a third-string quarterback without seeing any game action, the former second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft is adamant about his ability to start in the NFL once again.
Speaking to the media, Wilson expressed confidence in his skills and made it clear he still believes he can succeed as a starter in the league.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a journeyman, but I still believe I can be a starter in this league whenever that opportunity comes,” Wilson said.
“And so I’m just trying to put myself in the best situation with the best team and coaches and do the absolute best that I can and hopefully at some point, you can get that opportunity to show what you could do.”
Wilson spent the first three years of his career with the New York Jets, where he made 34 appearances and 33 starts, guiding the team to a 12-21 record.
Over those seasons, Wilson threw for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. His completion rate stood at 57.0%, and he added 498 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 93 carries.
Despite the struggles in New York, Wilson remains confident in his potential to turn things around, believing that his past experiences have prepared him for future opportunities.
Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos last offseason in exchange for a sixth-round pick and a seventh-round pick. However, his time in Denver did not involve any game action, leaving him to look for new opportunities.
The Dolphins represent that next chapter, where Wilson sees a chance to revive his career.
With Tua Tagovailoa, Miami’s starting quarterback, having dealt with injuries throughout his career – having only played a full season once in five years – Wilson may find himself in a position to compete for playing time.
While Wilson acknowledges that his path in the NFL has been far from smooth, he is focused on making the most of this new chapter with the Dolphins.
While he’s been a bit of a punching bag for some fans, the fact of the matter is Wilson was dealt a bad hand off the bat by getting drafted by the dysfunctional Jets.
He knows his number may very well be called again – and when it is – he has full confidence that he will be ready to answer the call.
What are your thoughts on Wilson’s comments? … Will he end up replacing Tua in Miami???