Look, when Adam Schefter tweets out that Zach Wilson is heading to New Orleans, you can practically hear the collective shrug from NFL fans. A one-year deal, per sources, for a guy who’s been more meme than menace since being drafted second overall in 2021. The Saints, fresh off an underwhelming 9-8 season where Derek Carr threw for 3,878 yards but often looked hesitant, clearly needed a different flavor in the quarterback room. But Wilson? This isn't exactly the splash signing that screams "Super Bowl contender."
Here's the thing: Wilson’s NFL career has been a disaster by almost every metric. In 34 games with the Jets, he completed just 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. His passer rating of 73.2 is among the lowest for any quarterback with significant playing time in the last decade. Remember that Thursday night game against the Patriots in 2022 where he threw for 77 yards and refused to take accountability? That was Wilson. He was benched multiple times, eventually losing his job to Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian last season, which, let’s be honest, is a career low point for any former No. 2 pick. The Jets traded him to Denver in April, essentially paying part of his salary just to get him off the roster. That’s a pretty damning indictment.
So, why New Orleans? Maybe Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael Jr. see something Taysom Hill, Jake Haener, and Nathan Peterman don't offer. Wilson still has the arm talent that made him such a highly touted prospect coming out of BYU in 2021. He can make all the throws, and his athleticism is undeniable. He ran for 468 yards and five touchdowns in his three seasons with the Jets, showing some ability to extend plays. The Saints’ offensive line, while not elite, is better than what Wilson often played behind in New York. Plus, he'll have weapons like Chris Olave, who snagged 87 catches for 1,123 yards last year, and Alvin Kamara, who’s still a threat out of the backfield.
Real talk: This deal isn't about Wilson competing for the starting job right now. Derek Carr is entrenched, for better or worse, after signing a four-year, $150 million contract last offseason. This is a low-risk, high-reward flyer for the Saints. They're hoping a change of scenery, a less intense media market, and a coaching staff known for developing quarterbacks (remember Drew Brees?) can unlock some of that dormant potential. It’s a classic "we can fix him" move. My hot take? They won't fix him. Wilson's issues looked far more mental than mechanical during his time in New York. You can't just coach away a lack of confidence or poor decision-making under pressure.
This is Wilson's last shot at being a legitimate NFL quarterback. If he can't show *something* in New Orleans, even in a backup role, his career as a viable starter is over. He needs to prove he can learn an offense, protect the football, and be a professional in the locker room. The Saints are giving him a clean slate, away from the constant scrutiny of the New York media. But the pressure is still there. He’s going to have to outplay Jake Haener, a fourth-round pick from last year, just to be the primary backup. If Wilson can't even secure the QB2 spot, it's hard to see him sticking around the league much longer.
My bold prediction? Zach Wilson will throw exactly zero meaningful passes for the New Orleans Saints this season.