Zach Wilson to the Saints. Yeah, you read that right. The former No. 2 overall pick, fresh off a tumultuous tenure with the Jets, has reportedly inked a one-year deal with New Orleans. It’s not the splashiest move of the offseason, not by a long shot, but it’s one that raises some eyebrows and sparks plenty of debate among the Who Dat faithful.
Look, the Jets gave up on Wilson after three seasons where he completed just 57% of his passes, threw 23 touchdowns to 25 interceptions, and posted a QBR that rarely climbed out of the 30s. His final game in a Jets uniform saw him benched at halftime against the Commanders after going 4-of-11 for 26 yards. Those numbers don't exactly scream "future franchise quarterback." But here's the thing: he’s still only 24 years old. The physical tools that made him such a high draft pick out of BYU – the arm strength, the mobility – haven't vanished. They just haven't translated to consistent NFL success. Yet.
So, what’s the play here for the Saints? Derek Carr is the undisputed starter, coming off a season where he threw for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns. But behind him, the depth chart was… thin. Jake Haener, a fourth-round pick in 2023, is still largely an unknown quantity. Bringing in Wilson on a one-year, presumably low-money deal is a classic low-risk, high-reward move. If he flames out, the Saints are out minimal capital. If offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who helped Kirk Cousins to a solid 2023 season in Minnesota before his injury, can tap into some of Wilson's latent talent, New Orleans might just have found the league's best backup. Or, dare I say, a future trade asset.
This isn't the first time a struggling young quarterback has gotten a second chance. Think about Ryan Tannehill, who went from Dolphins cast-off to Titans starter and playoff contender. Or even Geno Smith, who resurrected his career in Seattle after years as a backup. Wilson's situation isn't identical, but the blueprint for a career revival exists. The pressure in New Orleans will be significantly lower than it was in the New York media circus. He won't be expected to save the franchise; he'll be expected to learn, develop, and be ready if Carr goes down.
Real talk: I think this is a brilliant move for the Saints. For a team that hasn't found consistent quarterback play since Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season, adding a former No. 2 pick with raw talent for a minimal investment is smart business. Carr's contract makes him difficult to move, but his performance last year, while decent, didn't exactly inspire confidence that he's the long-term answer. Wilson represents a lottery ticket. New Orleans needs to figure out its offensive identity under Kubiak, and having a quarterback with Wilson's athleticism could open up some interesting wrinkles if he ever sees the field.
My hot take? Zach Wilson will throw more touchdown passes for the Saints in 2024 than he did in his final season with the Jets, where he only managed eight in 12 games. It’s a bold claim, considering his past struggles, but a change of scenery and a less intense spotlight could be exactly what he needs. He won't be the starter, but I bet we see him in meaningful snaps at some point this season.
**Bold Prediction:** The Saints will trade Zach Wilson for a Day 3 draft pick before the 2025 season.