Dolphins' Wilson: 'I can be a starter' again

Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Zach Wilson doesn't think he'll be a career journeyman.

"I still believe I can be a starter in this league whenever that opportunity comes," Wilson said Monday via The Associated Press' Alanis Thames. "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."

Wilson's last starting gig was during his three-season tenure with the New York Jets. The 25-year-old was selected by the Jets second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft but finished 12-21 as a starter, leading the league in fumbles in 2023.

The BYU product was traded to the Denver Broncos for the 2024 season, where he was a second-string quarterback to rookie Bo Nix. Wilson didn't get a snap all season and signed a one-year, $6-million deal with the Dolphins on March 10 to backup Tua Tagovailoa.

"What’s not to like (about the Dolphins)?" Wilson said. "They do a great job, and it starts from coach (Mike) McDaniel and goes all the way down. You've seen how (Tagovailoa)'s development has gone since he's been there. I'm just excited to be with those guys."

Tagovailoa has struggled through multiple injuries throughout his five-year tenure with the Dolphins, including missing a career-high six games in 2024 with a concussion and shoulder problems. In the 11 games Tagovailoa played last season, he threw for 2,867 yards and 19 touchdowns with a league-leading 72.9% completion rate.

Wilson is currently Miami's only backup for Tagovailoa. The team used three backups in 2024 - Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle, and Tyler "Snoop" Huntley - who finished with a combined 2-4 record.

Wilson finished his starter career with 6,293 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. The Dolphins will hope to improve on the team's 8-9 finish in 2024.