Zach Wilson’s fresh start with the Dolphins hasn’t been without its choppy moments.
The former first-round pick with the Jets had a rough practice Tuesday with two throws being picked, including a pass returned for a touchdown, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, who characterized Wilson’s offseason as “uneven.”
Wilson — signed to a one-year, $6 million deal to serve as Tua Tagovailoa’s backup — had a pass “batted down” by linebacker Willie Gay Jr., and also took a sack from linebacker KJ Britt, even as he tried to make magic happen on a pass to receiver Erik Ezukanma that was dropped, the Miami Hearld reported.
A third interception was nearly in the cards for the 25-year-old quarterback if cornerback Ethan Bonner managed to hang on, Jackson added in Tuesday’s observations.
Despite the rocky showings, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is eager to see how Wilson can flourish in a new system after going “through some s–t” and navigating a “way through it.”
“There’s residuals to people just in general that have gone through things,” McDaniel said Tuesday, according to The Palm Beach Post. “He’s come close to about as much scrutiny as one could have. You’re a top-three draft pick in New York City. Well, I mean I think Joe Namath figured that out and everybody else is like, well, this is a lot. But that’s what I see, is a guy that is playing football with the empowerment of, ‘You know what? I’m strong enough to handle anything.'”
The Jets’ second-overall pick in 2021, Wilson threw nine touchdowns against 11 interceptions in his rookie season.
He was benched midway through his sophomore year when he failed to take responsibility for a putrid showing in a 10-3 loss to the rival Patriots.
Although 2023 was meant to be a reset year for Wilson with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers, he was thrown back into the action when the four-time league MVP suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
Wilson struggled again, and the Jets then traded Wilson to the Broncos last April, spending 2024 as Denver’s third-stringer.
“There’s things, looking back, I wish I could’ve done so much better, maybe would’ve approached differently, but I think, at the end of the day, it’s all part of the story,” Wilson said in March after joining the Dolphins.
McDaniel, who saw Wilson twice a year with the Jets, lauded the quarterback’s work ethic and arm talent.
“A guy who is continually working at his craft, who has supreme arm talent, it’s cool to watch him grow, particularly in our offense, because guys with arm talent always throw it late,” he said. “You have a stronger arm, I’ll just wait and see it. Go back to like John Elway and dudes with cannons.”
The Dolphins refreshed their supporting QB cast this offseason after utilizing Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley last year when Tagovailoa was sidelined due to injury.
Miami went 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time under McDaniel.
Tagovailoa has a troubling concussion history and has dealt with other injury issues in his career, making the backup quarterback position crucial in Miami.
In addition to Wilson, the Dolphins landed standout Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in the seventh round of April’s 2025 NFL Draft.
The Dolphins visit the Colts in Week 1.