The NFL is wild, man. One day, you’re the franchise QB, and the next, some dude is coming for your job. That’s basically the vibe in Miami right now. The Dolphins just signed Zach Wilson, and while he’s technically here to back up Tua Tagovailoa. But he is not planning to just chill on the bench.
Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, is on a one-year deal after things went sideways with the Jets (and a quick detour in Denver). But despite all that, he’s still talking his talk. “I still believe I can be a starter in this league whenever that opportunity comes,” Wilson said Monday. “And so I just try to put myself in the best situation with the best team and coaches and do the absolute best that I can.” Confidence? Check.
His NFL career so far? Messy. With the Jets, he threw 23 touchdowns… but also 25 picks. Not ideal. He’s even admitted that his time in New York was a struggle, “It was challenging,” and that he’s got some regrets: “I wish I could’ve done so much better, maybe would’ve approached differently“. But now? He’s got a fresh start in Miami and a chance to rewrite the script.
The Dolphins didn’t bring him in just for vibes, though—they needed a solid backup, especially with Tua‘s injury history. Dude missed six games last season with concussions, and Miami is not trying to go through that chaos again. But let’s be real—if Wilson starts cooking in training camp, he might actually push Tua for that starting spot.
And speaking of Tua… his offseason has been a whole thing. A video of him chilling on a yacht with his fam, shirtless and sipping a beer, just went viral. No big deal, right? Well, some fans zoomed in on the belly fat and started freaking out, saying he’s looking too comfy this offseason. The internet never sleeps, I guess.
Yikes: Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has gone viral for being extremely out of shape partying on a yacht while drinking a beer with his family on vacation.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 11, 2025
Meanwhile, Wilson is locked in, ready to prove the haters wrong. His arm strength has always been solid, and he’s got that “earn it, don’t expect it” mindset. If he pops off in training camp and preseason, we might just have a QB battle in Miami.
Tua on a yacht, Wilson on a mission… yeah, this Dolphins QB situation just got real spicy.
Zach Wilson says Sean Payton leveled up his game in Denver
Zach Wilson didn’t take a single regular-season snap for the Broncos, but that doesn’t mean his time in Denver was a waste. Learning under Sean Payton turned out to be a game-changer for him. “Just processing in the NFL, pocket awareness, the ability to kind of progress more smoothly through my progressions and get the ball out of my hands… I feel like has just increasingly gotten better since my first year in the league,” Wilson said, reflecting on his growth.
Under Sean Payton, Wilson has seen the growth he needed. Especially in his decision-making and pocket presence. His biggest flex? That preseason finale against the Cardinals, where he went off for 251 yards, two touchdowns, and zero picks. Plus, he hit ‘em with a smooth 21-yard scramble to set up a TD. Wilson straight-up credits Payton for upgrading his football IQ, helping him process the game faster, and keeping his cool under pressure. Dude basically went from rookie struggles to reading defenses like a pro. Throughout the preseason, Wilson maintained a consistent performance. Over three games, he completed 28 of 44 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns.
And Payton? He was vibing with Wilson’s progress. After that game, he said, “I like the way he played… He was real comfortable again. We were in and out of the huddle. There was no clock. I mean, all of that was smooth.” He also hyped up Wilson’s confidence and arm strength, saying, “He’s got a good live arm… you felt experience, just poise.” Coming from a coach with a Super Bowl ring, that’s high praise. Wilson may not have gotten his shot in Denver. But he soaked up the knowledge like a sponge. Now in Miami, he’s just waiting for his moment to pop off.
Now in Miami, Wilson is ready to take what he learned from Payton and keep leveling up under Mike McDaniel. With Tua locked in as the starter, Wilson knows patience is key, but he’s soaking up every lesson he can. His time in Denver really sharpened his game. Don’t be surprised if he makes some noise when his number gets called.
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