What Happened to Zachary Kapono Wilson?
Zach Wilson is an American professional football quarterback who was drafted second overall by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft. After three inconsistent seasons with the Jets, he was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2024, then signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2025, and is currently with the New Orleans Saints, having signed a one-year contract in March 2026.
Quick Answer
Zach Wilson is currently a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, having signed a one-year contract with the team on March 26, 2026. He is competing for a backup role behind Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. After being drafted second overall by the New York Jets in 2021, Wilson's tenure was marked by inconsistent play, leading to trades to the Denver Broncos in 2024 and a stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2025.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Draper, Utah
Zachary Kapono Wilson was born in Draper, Utah.
Enrolls at BYU
Wilson enrolled at Brigham Young University (BYU) to play college football for the Cougars.
Breakout Season at BYU
Wilson had a highly productive junior season at BYU, completing 73.5% of his passes for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns, leading to significant NFL Draft buzz.
Drafted by New York Jets
The New York Jets selected Zach Wilson as the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Rookie Season with Jets
Wilson started 13 games in his rookie year, throwing for 2,334 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, showing flashes but also significant struggles.
Injuries and Demotion with Jets
Wilson missed the first three games due to injury and was later benched and demoted to third-string due to inconsistent play.
Returns as Starter after Rodgers' Injury
After Aaron Rodgers' season-ending injury in Week 1, Wilson was thrust back into the starting role, appearing in 12 games with 11 starts.
Traded to Denver Broncos
The New York Jets traded Zach Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Denver Broncos for a 2024 sixth-round pick. The Broncos declined his fifth-year option.
No Appearances with Broncos
Wilson spent the entire 2024 season as the Broncos' third-string quarterback behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham and did not appear in any games.
Signs with Miami Dolphins
Wilson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.
Limited Play with Dolphins
Wilson played in only four games for the Dolphins, completing 6 of 11 passes for 32 yards in limited backup action.
Signs with New Orleans Saints
Wilson signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the New Orleans Saints as an unrestricted free agent.
Announces Birth of Daughter
Zach Wilson and his wife, Nicolette, announced the birth of their daughter, Francesca Belle.
Participating in Saints Training Camp
As of mid-August 2026, Wilson is participating in New Orleans Saints training camp, competing for a backup quarterback role.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Zachary Kapono Wilson's NFL journey began with immense expectations when he was selected as the second overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft, following a standout college career at BYU where he set school records for completion percentage. His time with the Jets (2021-2023) was characterized by inconsistent performance, high interception rates, and struggles to lead the offense effectively. Despite being thrust back into the starting role in 2023 after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury just four snaps into the season, Wilson failed to solidify his position, finishing his Jets career with a 12-21 record as a starter.
This inconsistent play ultimately led to his departure from New York. On April 23, 2024, Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos along with a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick. The Broncos declined his fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the 2024 season, and he spent the entire 2024 season as the team's third-string quarterback behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham, not appearing in any games.
In March 2025, Wilson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, seeking a fresh start. His role there was primarily as a backup, appearing in only four games and completing 6 of 11 passes for 32 yards during the 2025 season. The Dolphins' investment did not yield significant playing time, and he left the team after one season, incurring a $3.8 million dead cap hit for Miami in 2026.
As of March 26, 2026, Wilson signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the New Orleans Saints as an unrestricted free agent. He joined a quarterback room that includes Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler, where he is expected to compete for a backup role. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis announced the signing, highlighting Wilson's experience. In early April 2026, Wilson and his wife, Nicolette, announced the birth of their daughter, Francesca Belle. He is currently participating in Saints training camp as of August 2026, aiming to establish himself in his new team.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Zachary Kapono Wilson made different choices?