Dolphins add former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson as their new backup quarterback
Quarterback Zach Wilson, a talented but inconsistent former high first-round pick, is joining the Dolphins, a league source confirmed Monday. He’s Miami’s first addition in free agency after a quiet first six hours.
Selected second overall out of BYU in 2021, Wilson was a bust for the Jets, throwing 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions -- with a 73.2 passer rating -- in three seasons in New York.
He was New York’s starter for much of 2021 and 2022 and took over for Aaron Rogers in 2023 after Rodgers sustained a season-ending injury in his first game as a Jet. But Wilson was benched later that season, replaced by Tim Boyle.
Wilson completed just 57 percent of 993 passing attempts as a Jet. He started 13, 9 and 11 games in his three seasons in New York. On the positive side, his 12.8 yards per completion was second in the league in 2022.
The Dolphins will pay Wilson $6 million guaranteed, and he can make another $4 million in incentives, per ESPN.
After three disappointing years in New York, Wilson, 25, was the No. 3 QB in Denver last season -- behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham -- and did not play a regular season snap.
“You see the arm talent,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Wilson last summer.
Wilson had a 115.4 passer rating in preseason for Denver, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
General manager Chris Grier vowed to address backup quarterback in free agency after Tua Tagovailoa missed six games last season, four due to a concussion and two because of a hip injury at the end of the season.
Wilson went 12-21 as a starter, flashing a strong arm and mobility; he ran for 498 yards on 5.4 per carry with the Jets, with five rushing touchdowns. But he was plagued by poor decision making and inaccuracy.
The Dolphins believe they can salvage him.
Miami opted for Wilson over free agents Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco, Cooper Rush, Gardner Minshew and Carson Wentz, among others.
It’s unclear if the Dolphins will re-sign Tyler Huntley, who finished last season as Miami’s No. 2 quarterback. Huntley said in December that the Dolphins told his agent that they wanted to re-sign him.
Miami hasn’t had much success with backup quarterback decisions during the past two years; neither Mike White nor Skylar Thompson worked out. Huntley, added last September, played well at times, poorly at others. Thompson joined the Steelers earlier this offseason.
Players can agree to terms with new teams on Monday and Tuesday but cannot sign until 4 p.m. Wednesday.
This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM.
