The Denver Broncos wanted to re-sign former New York Jets quarterback and 2024 offseason trade acquisition Zach Wilson for the 2025 season. However, the former No. 2 overall pick wanted a greater opportunity to play, and his decision to join the Miami Dolphins could pay off.
Wilson and the Dolphins are 0-1 after dropping their 2025 regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, the Broncos’ Week 2 opponent, in a 33-8 affair.
The ex-Broncos QB even got to step in for Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa in the contest.
Dolphins Turn to Zach Wilson in Season Opener
GettyZach Wilson #0 of the Miami Dolphins leaves the field after facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Tagovailoa started the game, but Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel pulled him in favor of Wilson with the game already out of hand and in the fourth quarter. The former Broncos’ QB3 is the Dolphins’ QB2 and completed five of his eight attempts for 32 yards.
Tagovailoa, who had a 114-1-2 line on 60.9% completion, also has an extensive injury history.
The Dolphins find themselves as the lead-in to The Athletic’s “panic meter,” which cited a GoFundMe page lamenting “generational trauma” after they turned to Wilson in Week 1.
“Zach Wilson took fourth-quarter snaps, and not the good kind. The Dolphins began Sunday as one-point underdogs to the Colts. They lost by 25 [points],” The Athletic’s By Jacob Robinson and Mike Sando wrote on September 10. “As of right now, it’s easy to imagine a full rebuild within a few months, one that involves dismissing coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier. The panic level is nearly maxed for Miami, just a 1.5-point home favorite against the Patriots this week.”
Zach Wilson Must Fend Off Rookie 7th-Round Pick
GettyZach Wilson #0 of the Miami Dolphins warms up before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wilson represents a known commodity, which could close the door on the former Broncos QB, but open it to a young teammate.
“No team looked more out of its depth in Week 1 than the Miami Dolphins,” Pro Football Focus’ Thomas Valentine wrote on September 10. “All of the talk in the offseason was that this was a make-or-break year for the Dolphins, and though it’s only Week 1, alarm bells will be ringing. Most of all, Tua Tagovailoa struggled, recording four turnover-worthy plays. The Dolphins will need their franchise quarterback to be at his best if they’re to stand a chance.”
“Do you think the @MiamiDolphins should consider starting either Zach Wilson or Quinn Ewers if the offense continues to struggle?” Dolphins Lead posted on X, joining others online either ripping Tagovailoa, calling for the former Broncos QB, or both.
Ewers is a rookie seventh-round draft pick.
The Dolphins’ potential panic could be good news for Wilson in his post-Broncos career, if the coaching staff decides to seek a spark rather than turn to the rookie or stick with Tagovailoa.
Not All Good News for Zach Wilson
GettyZach Wilson #0 of the Miami Dolphins warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While Wilson could certainly benefit from the Dolphins deciding to bench Tagovailoa, which they have shown no signs of doing to this point, the former Broncos backup will have to fend off Ewers.
Moreover, Wilson’s Week 1 performance may not be enough or even worthy of sticking with.
“Accoridng [sic] to pff, Zach Wilson threw one accurate pass (out of eight attempts) on Sunday,” The Ringer’s Steven Ruiz posted on X on September 10. “It was a WR screen.”
Wilson, 26, has thrown for 6,325 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions on 57% completion with a 12-21 record as a starter. He was the Broncos’ QB3, but head coach Sean Payton lauded Wilson’s ability to be a starting QB. He may yet get his opportunity in Miami.
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