Zach Wilson’s Career Hits Another Crossroads as Dolphins Pass Him Over
This NFL season has been a proving ground for quarterbacks looking to rewrite their narratives. Daniel Jones found new life in Indianapolis before a late-season injury cut things short.
Sam Darnold, once written off in New York, showed flashes in Minnesota and has looked even better in Seattle. And Mac Jones?
He stepped in for Brock Purdy in San Francisco and played well enough that some 49ers fans started wondering if he should keep the job outright.
All three were former first-round picks who flamed out with their original teams but found second chances-and in some cases, second winds-elsewhere. Baker Mayfield’s resurgence in Tampa Bay is another example of how quickly things can turn around for a quarterback once labeled a bust.
And then there’s Zach Wilson.
Once the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson seemed to be next in line for a redemption arc. The opportunity appeared to be there in Miami, especially after head coach Mike McDaniel announced changes at quarterback. With Tua Tagovailoa benched and Wilson on the active roster all season, the assumption was that he’d finally get another shot.
Instead, McDaniel turned to rookie Quinn Ewers-a seventh-round pick who had thrown just eight passes all season and wasn’t even on the active roster for the first six weeks. Ewers got the start. Wilson stayed on the sideline.
And just like that, another door may have closed.
Ewers played the entire game against the Bengals, completing 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Dolphins lost 45-21. Wilson never took a snap.
It’s the latest chapter in what’s been a rocky NFL journey for Wilson. Drafted by the Jets in 2021, he became the 13th quarterback the franchise had selected in a 21-year span-a stretch that includes three first-rounders and three second-rounders.
The Jets have been a revolving door at the position, and Wilson, like many before him, couldn’t break the cycle. After three underwhelming seasons, New York let him go following the 2023 campaign.
Still, there was hope that Wilson might follow the path of other former Jets QBs like Darnold or Geno Smith, who found new life elsewhere. He landed with the Broncos in 2024 but never saw the field, buried on the depth chart. In the offseason, he signed with the Dolphins-a move that seemed to offer a clearer path to playing time.
But it hasn’t worked out that way. Wilson has thrown just nine passes this season. Even when the Dolphins benched their starter, they turned to a rookie with minimal experience rather than the former No. 2 overall pick.
Back in Week 7, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Dolphins had officially moved Ewers ahead of Wilson on the depth chart. That decision now looks more permanent than situational.
And that’s where things stand. Wilson’s name has started to appear on those dreaded lists-quarterbacks who never lived up to their draft billing.
Think JaMarcus Russell. Ryan Leaf.
Josh Rosen. Tim Couch.
Akili Smith. The company is tough.
Wilson’s career numbers: 6,325 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 25 interceptions, a 57% completion rate, and a passer rating of 73.2. His record as a starter? 12 wins, 21 losses.
He’s part of a 2021 quarterback class that, outside of Trevor Lawrence, hasn’t lived up to the hype. Lawrence has blossomed into a franchise centerpiece in Jacksonville, leading the Jaguars to the top of the AFC South.
But the rest of the class has been a carousel of change. Trey Lance, the third overall pick, has played in just 12 games over four seasons and is now the Chargers’ backup.
Justin Fields, taken 11th, was recently benched by the Jets-his third team-and replaced by undrafted rookie Brady Cook, despite both Fields and Tyrod Taylor being available.
Mac Jones, who went 15th overall, has at least shown signs of life this year. His strong play as a fill-in for Purdy could earn him another shot as a starter-or at least a coveted backup role-this offseason.
That’s the thing: there’s always a market in the NFL for a reliable backup. A guy who can step in, manage the game, and keep things afloat for a few weeks.
Brock Purdy, famously the last pick in the 2022 draft, took the 49ers to a Super Bowl. Meanwhile, a long list of highly drafted quarterbacks have struggled to even stick on a roster.
According to a Fox Sports report earlier this year, from 2002 to 2023, nearly 64% of first-round quarterbacks were considered more “miss” than “hit.” And among top-10 picks, that number was still a sobering 57%.
Wilson, now five years into his NFL career, hasn’t yet convinced anyone he can be more than a placeholder. Maybe Ewers’ rough outing opens the door.
Maybe not. But for now, Wilson remains on the sideline, waiting-again-for the next chance that may never come.