Look, it’s not exactly the blockbuster deal that sends shockwaves through the NFL. Zach Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, is heading to New Orleans on a one-year deal. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news, confirming what many expected: Wilson's time as a starting quarterback in New York was over, and now he’s looking for a fresh start, likely as a backup. The Saints, coming off a 9-8 season that saw them miss the playoffs despite a weak NFC South, are clearly not done tinkering with their quarterback room.
It’s easy to forget how much hype surrounded Wilson coming out of BYU in 2021. He threw for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns against just three interceptions in his final college season. The Jets drafted him, hoping he’d be their franchise savior. That didn't happen. In 34 games for the Jets, Wilson completed just 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. His passer rating of 73.5 is among the lowest of any top-five pick in the last two decades. He had moments, sure – like the three-touchdown performance against the Chiefs in Week 4 of last season, a game they still lost 23-20. But consistency was a foreign concept. He was benched multiple times, including for Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian, which tells you everything you need to know about his standing in that locker room. The Jets' decision to trade a conditional seventh-round pick to the Saints for Wilson, while also absorbing a portion of his guaranteed $5.5 million salary, is essentially paying him to leave. That’s a tough pill for any organization to swallow.
So, why New Orleans? Derek Carr is entrenched as the starter, having signed a four-year, $150 million deal last offseason. Jameis Winston is gone, now backing up Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. The Saints needed another arm, especially one with a high pedigree and, theoretically, untapped potential. Wilson gets a chance to sit, learn, and rebuild his confidence away from the blinding New York media spotlight. He’ll be working with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who’s known for his work with quarterbacks. Real talk: this is a low-risk, potentially medium-reward move for the Saints. If Wilson can absorb the playbook, improve his decision-making, and perhaps even find some of that BYU magic, he could become a valuable backup. But let's not kid ourselves; his ceiling is likely a high-end backup in this league. The Saints are hoping for a Taysom Hill-esque versatility, but with actual passing upside. Frankly, I think they’re overestimating his ability to adapt quickly. He struggled to read defenses in New York; a year on the bench isn't a magic wand.
Derek Carr threw for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2023, but the Saints' offense often felt stale, ranking 14th in points per game with 23.6. They need more explosiveness. Wilson, even if he doesn't play a snap, adds competition to the QB room and a different skillset than Carr's. The Saints are clearly trying to find some depth and a potential long-term backup. This move also highlights the brutal reality of the NFL draft; sometimes, even the highest picks just don’t pan out. Wilson’s contract is a one-year flyer, giving both sides flexibility. If it doesn't work, he's gone next year with minimal financial impact. If it does, well, then the Saints found a diamond in the rough.
My bold prediction? Wilson will see more playing time than people expect in 2024, not because he outplays Carr, but because Carr misses at least two games with an injury, opening the door for Wilson to show the league he’s not a complete bust.