Zach Wilson quarterback Miami Dolphins
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 16: Zach Wilson #0 of the Miami Dolphins plays against the Detroit Lions during the NFL Preseason game at Ford Field on August 16, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins‘ quarterback situation has been one of the more talked about ones around the league over the course of the offseason.
The team decided to release incumbent starter Tua Tagovailoa; who had been with the organization since they drafted him with the 5th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft; with a post-June 1st designation earlier this month, and in his stead bought in former Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis on a three year, $67.5 million contract.
This also had implications for other members of the Dolphins’ roster. Zach Wilson, who had operated as the team’s QB2 for the majority of the 2025 season after signing a one year $6 million deal in March 2025, was no longer in the team’s plans.
And, just over two weeks after the unofficial start of free agency, Wilson has now found a new home in the NFC, joining the New Orleans Saints, per Nick Underhill.
Nick Underhill
Saints are signing QB Zach Wilson, according to a source. Adds a veteran presence and some competition to the QB room behind Tyler Shough. Wilson, 26, was the No. 2 pick in 2021. He gives New Orleans a third quarterback with starting experience.
Zach Wilson Signing with the New Orleans Saints
“Saints are signing QB Zach Wilson, according to a source. Adds a veteran presence and some competition to the QB room behind Tyler Shough. Wilson, 26, was the No. 2 pick in 2021. He gives New Orleans a third quarterback with starting experience.” Underhill posted on X.
Wilson will likely compete for the backup job behind Shough, who appears to be the Saints’ clear-cut starter heading into 2026 after putting in some excellent performances over the last few games of his rookie season in 2025.
His main competition will be former New Orleans bridge starter and fifth round pick Spencer Rattler, who proved himself to be a capable pair of hands – managing 1,586 passing yards, 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 8 starts, garnering a passer rating of 86.5 – although the Saints did go a miserly 1-7 over the span of those games.
What Does the Dolphins’ Backup QB Situation Look Like?
Moving away from Wilson, the Dolphins have a pretty similar-ish situation to New Orleans. Both have young, talented, up-and-coming signal callers who are not set to compete (realistically) with their backups.
The biggest difference between the two rooms is in the quality of the second and third stringers.
Quinn Ewers did appear to have some promise over his three starts at the end of the season, managing 3 touchdowns and interceptions apiece, with 622 passing yards and an 85.5 passer rating, but there is no depth beyond that, save for former Raiders practice squad QB, Cam Miller.
Despite having Willis and Ewers, it would not be shocking to see Miami look to pickup a young quarterback late on day three of the draft in the sixth or seventh round to give them more options and flexibility at the position.
Considering the backgrounds of head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan being in Green Bay, who always prioritize draft and developing multiple quarterbacks, it would seem likely that Miami may well use one of their many selections in this year’s draft to add competition to what looks to be a fairly thin room at present.