Let’s be real. When the news dropped that Zach Wilson was heading to New Orleans on a one-year deal, a lot of folks probably did a double-take. Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, signing with the Saints after three bumpy years with the Jets? It’s not exactly the blockbuster move that shifts the NFC South power balance. But it's interesting.
Thing is, the Saints need something behind Derek Carr. Jameis Winston is gone, off to Cleveland. Taysom Hill is still Taysom Hill – a Swiss Army knife, not a pure pocket passer. Wilson, even with all his struggles, brings a certain pedigree. He started 12 games for the Jets in 2023, completing 60.1% of his passes for 2,271 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Those aren't Pro Bowl numbers, not by a long shot, but they're a baseline. He’s still only 24 years old.
The Jets were a tough spot for any young quarterback, let alone one picked second overall. Wilson inherited a team that went 2-14 in 2020. His rookie year, 2021, saw him throw 9 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 starts. The offensive line was a revolving door, and the play-calling often felt disjointed. Remember that 2022 game against the Patriots where he completed just 9 of 22 passes for 77 yards? It was brutal to watch. The pressure in New York is immense, magnified by the constant media scrutiny. He never really had a chance to breathe.
Look, I think the Jets botched his development from day one. They threw him into the fire with no safety net. They hired an offensive coordinator in Mike LaFleur who was learning on the job. Then they brought in Aaron Rodgers, effectively benching Wilson and creating an awkward locker room dynamic. It was a circus. The guy needed a fresh start, far away from the bright lights and the endless "is he a bust?" debates. New Orleans offers that.
So, what does New Orleans get? They get a quarterback who still has arm talent. Wilson showed flashes, even in New York. His deep ball, when accurate, can be pretty. He also rushed for 221 yards in 2023, showing some athleticism. He's not going to unseat Carr unless Carr completely implodes, but he's a legitimate backup option. And he's cheap. A one-year deal means low risk for the Saints. If it doesn't work out, they move on next year with minimal financial hit.
For Wilson, this is a chance to reset. He won't have the weight of an entire franchise on his shoulders. He can learn from a veteran like Carr and from offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Saints' offense, with weapons like Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Alvin Kamara, is certainly more stable than anything he had consistently in New York. If he ends up playing, the pressure will be there, sure, but it won't be the same kind of suffocating pressure he faced with the Jets. He needs to refine his decision-making, plain and simple. He needs to cut down on the hero throws that turn into interceptions.
Real talk: the upside for the Saints here isn't a Super Bowl. It's about finding a competent backup who, in a perfect world, could regain some of that potential that made him the second pick. Maybe he develops into a trade asset down the line. Maybe he becomes a reliable QB2 for years to come. This isn't about Wilson becoming the next Drew Brees. It's about finding value in a player who was discarded.
My hot take? This move makes more sense for Zach Wilson than it does for the Saints. He gets a quiet place to rebuild his career. The Saints get a lottery ticket. I think he plays more than 3 games in 2024 for the Saints.