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Zach Wilson Miami Dolphins
Zach Wilson chose to sign with the Miami Dolphins over returning to the Denver Broncos this past season in hopes of finding a greater opportunity to play.
The thinking was that with incumbent starter Tua Tagovailoa’s injury history, Wilson would at least be closer to seeing the field as the Dolphins’ backup than he would have been as the Broncos’ QB3 behind starter Bo Nix and top backup Jarrett Stidham.
Wilson’s gamble may be about to pay off.
Ex-Broncos QB Zach Wilson Receives Encouraging Update
GettyZach Wilson #0 of the Miami Dolphins leaves the field after facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wilson did not see the field with the Broncos in 2024 after they acquired him in a trade with the New York Jets. He has already played in three games for the Dolphins this season.
Notably, it is not health, but ineffectiveness that could see Wilson supplant Tagovailoa.
“I think the quarterback play last night was not good enough. And so, for me, everything’s on the table,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters during his day-after press conference on December 16, remaining non-committal with the loss still fresh.
“I think that we’re in the process of game planning for the Cincinnati Bengals. So, in that process, we’re trying to determine who will give us the best chance to win. And I’ll probably give you more clarity on that tomorrow [December 17], as we are, I think, 14 hours removed from the game.”
Tagovailoa completed 78.1% of his passes for 253 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception during the Dolphins’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Monday Night Football” in Week 15.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported the Dolphins have already discussed a QB change.
Wilson has completed six of nine throws for 32 scoreless yards. He has a 6,325-23-25 line on 57.1% completion and a 12-21-0 record as a starter in his career. There are no guarantees yet, but he could be in a good position to take over for Tagovailoa if the Dolphins make a change.
Wilson, 26, was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 draft. Wilson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Dolphins in free agency during the 2025 offseason.
Dolphins’ Depth Chart Key for Zach Wilson
GettyZach Wilson #0 of the Miami Dolphins runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Dolphins list Wilson as Tagovailoa’s backup on their unofficial depth chart, with the former Broncos reserve ahead of rookie seventh-round draft pick Quinn Ewers.
“For what it’s worth, Zach Wilson was the Dolphins backup quarterback last night, and Quinn Ewers dressed with the third quarterback designation,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer posted on X on December 16.
The Dolphins do not have any other quarterbacks on their 53-man roster or practice squad.
However, Wilson’s standing on game day could have more to do with his veteran status, having played in relief duty four times in his career, than with the Dolphins’ plans in a full-on change.
Ewers has played in one game this season, completing five of eight passes for 53 yards. That could give Wilson the edge, if McDaniel views the ex-Broncos passer as giving the Dolphins the best chance to win amid questions about his job security.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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