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The Miami Dolphins know how important their backup quarterback position is — maybe more than most teams. Over the past three seasons, starting QB Tua Tagovailoa has missed 11 games, including six in 2024. And when he’s off the field, Miami’s high-powered offense usually takes a big step back. So this offseason, the Dolphins made a move they believe will help close that gap. They signed former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson to a one-year deal, hoping his skill set can keep the offense going if Tagovailoa misses time again.
Wilson hasn’t lived up to his high draft status so far. In 34 games with the New York Jets, he threw for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. He spent the 2024 season backing up rookie Bo Nix in Denver before hitting free agency.
But head coach Mike McDaniel has followed Wilson since his college days at BYU and still believes in his talent.
“I think it’s layered. This was something that was on our mind for a considerable amount of time and it goes back to everybody has a different circumstance, but we drafted a quarterback in San Francisco the year he came out,” McDaniel said. “I watched every snap of his collegiate play, and he was a phenomenal talent that in my opinion didn’t have reps in an NFL pocket yet. Like at BYU he was launching it from about 10 and 11 yards deep and you’re not in the phone booth, and so my estimation, there was going to be some nuanced growth to his game that I think it is close to impossible to excel that early in that new form of football that he was playing (in the NFL).”
Miami’s Offense Struggled Without Tua
Tagovailoa’s absence last season hit the offense hard. From Weeks 3 through 7, Miami ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring, quarterback rating, and yards per game. With Tua back from Weeks 8 through 16, the offense ranked seventh in expected points added and ninth in scoring. Tagovailoa also led the league in completion percentage during that stretch.
Still, general manager Chris Grier faced criticism for not having a stronger backup plan in place. Skylar Thompson won the No. 2 job in camp over Mike White, but struggled badly in his only start — a 30-3 loss to Seattle — before leaving with a rib injury. That left Miami with Tim Boyle and recently signed Tyler Huntley to finish out the season.
Grier defended the team’s efforts, saying they had targeted several top-tier backup QBs last offseason but couldn’t match the financial demands.
“We were in on a number of top-flight backup quarterbacks in the league,” Grier said. “We were runners-up for a couple of them that we wanted to get here, and for some financial restraints and compensatory pick stuff, we just couldn’t go to those, to the prices. But all of those guys wanted to come here.
“It’s a position we do not take lightly. We were working through that the entire offseason, and the fact that some of those guys were willing to come here at what we could pay them shows in how they believe in Mike, the staff and the offensive scheme, and the players that are here.”
Why Wilson?
Despite his struggles in New York, Wilson came to Miami without making promises about starting. He instead spoke about his respect for Tagovailoa and how impressed he’s been with the Dolphins’ offensive coaching staff.
“What’s not to like, right? Extremely explosive offense and I think they do a great job, and it starts from coach McDaniel and goes all the way down,” Wilson said. “I’d just say the offensive staff as a whole has done a great job. You’ve seen how Tua’s development has gone, too, since he’s been there, and I think I’m just excited to be with those guys.”
McDaniel said Miami specifically targeted Wilson in free agency, preferring him over more experienced options. He said Wilson’s difficult career path — including the pressure of being a high draft pick who didn’t live up to expectations — gives him valuable perspective.
“What I see in Zach is the experience of being the second pick in the draft, being the starter Week 1 and then not fulfilling the rookie contract; that is behind him,” McDaniel said. “So to me, that’s an exciting prospect because you can’t put a measurement on that human ability that is huge at the quarterback position. Not comparing the players at all — on the record, not comparing the players — Tua found that this environment helped him through that process. As coaches, we want to offer literally everything to his game and I’m excited about where he’s at based upon him.”
Wilson’s $5 million deal makes him the fifth highest-paid backup quarterback in the league. That’s a big jump from Thompson, who ranked 48th among backup QBs in pay last season.
Still Open to Drafting a QB
Despite Wilson’s addition, the Dolphins may not be done addressing the position. Grier said they’re still open to drafting a quarterback if the right opportunity comes along. The team holds 10 picks in this year’s draft and has other needs, but quarterback remains a priority.
“That’s a position we will always focus on,” Grier said. “It’s important every offseason.”
Wilson said his 2024 experience in Denver — watching and learning instead of starting — helped him improve his processing and pocket presence. Now, Miami hopes he’s ready to step in if needed and keep the offense on track.
And for a team with Super Bowl hopes, that security could make all the difference.
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This report used information from ESPN.
