In the heart of Phoenix, the New Orleans Saints have made it clear: there won't be a showdown for the starting quarterback position this summer. However, the battle for the backup role is heating up.
After bringing Zach Wilson into the fold last week, head coach Kellen Moore announced that Wilson will vie with Spencer Rattler for the No. 2 spot behind starter Tyler Shough.
Moore emphasized the importance of fostering a competitive atmosphere. "Our job is always to make those environments as competitive as possible," he noted. Moore has kept a keen eye on Wilson throughout his journey, evaluating him multiple times and seizing the opportunity to bring him in.
With the departures of Jake Haener to the Kansas City Chiefs and Hunter Dekkers to the United Football League, the Saints were in need of depth at quarterback. While Rattler has been swirling in trade rumors, the Saints aren't rushing to part ways with their former starter.
Wilson's journey in the NFL has been anything but smooth. Drafted as the second overall pick in 2021, his time with the New York Jets didn't pan out as expected.
After stints as a backup with the Broncos and Dolphins, he's now looking to find stability with the Saints. Despite being around the same age as Shough and Rattler, Wilson brings a wealth of experience with 33 starts under his belt.
Wilson expressed his eagerness to learn under Moore, a former quarterback himself. At 26, he's watched peers like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield reinvent their careers and hopes to do the same.
Moore believes that New Orleans offers a nurturing environment for Wilson's growth. "You do some homework on it, you evaluate everything," Moore said, adding that Wilson's experience in Denver was particularly positive.
"That preseason film in Denver was really, really good. Obviously, we have ties and know what that operation looked like for him, and we can provide an opportunity for him to just get better as a quarterback."
With a fresh opportunity and a supportive setting, Wilson is poised to make the most of his chance with the Saints.