The Miami Dolphins’ answer for backup quarterback in 2025 is now known.
The Dolphins agreed to terms with former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft, on Monday evening, according to multiple reports. Wilson’s deal is reportedly for one year and $6 million but could reach $10 million with incentives.
While free agents were able to begin negotiating with outside teams Monday at noon, they cannot sign with a new club until the start of the new league year Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Over three seasons with the Jets since being taken high in the draft out of BYU, Wilson completed 57 percent of passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 33 starts.
In 2023, he was shoved aside after New York signed future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but Wilson was quickly back behind center for the franchise after Rodgers tore his Achilles four snaps into the season.
Wilson spent the 2024 season with the Denver Broncos, but never played as a reserve.
Set to turn 26 in August, Wilson possesses some mobility in his game, able to extend plays outside the pocket. He has 498 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground in his career. But he can also be erratic with his throws and decision-making, which was what caused the Jets to move on and go the route of Rodgers in 2023.
Star Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill posted his approval of the move on X shortly after news broke, writing: “(General manager Chris) Grier playing chess hmm I like.”
The backup quarterback behind starter Tua Tagovailoa was a major need for Miami to address with a veteran free agent signing this offseason due to Tagovailoa’s injury history.
Last season, Tagovailoa missed six games — four due to concussion recovery and the last two due to a hip injury. In those contests, Miami went 2-4, mostly with Tyler “Snoop” Huntley playing as an in-season signing but also with Skylar Thompson starting a game and Tim Boyle entering in relief twice.
The acquisition of Wilson likely means the Dolphins move on from Huntley, allowing him to depart in free agency. It should not be ruled out that Miami could still draft a quarterback in the mid-to-late rounds in late April.
The Dolphins signed Tagovailoa to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension ahead of the past season. The deal locks them in with him through at least the 2026 season before any potential out due to guarantees in the contract.
At the time, Tagovailoa was coming off his lone fully healthy season in the NFL. Miami went cheap at backup quarterback in 2024, allowing Mike White to compete with Thompson in the preseason, a battle won by Thompson.
As far as other backup quarterback options in free agency, Jimmy Garoppolo was a presumed possibility, but he re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams on Monday to be Matthew Stafford’s backup.
Garoppolo had worked previously with Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, when he was an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers and Garoppolo was the starter. McDaniel runs a similar offensive system, as do the Rams under coach Sean McVay.
Wilson is also familiar with the scheme, running a similar iteration under Mike LaFleur with the Jets.
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