One former Jets quarterback is making some waves with his new team.
Zach Wilson, who was a member of Gang Green from 2021-23, had an impressive first half for the Dolphins on Saturday, helping them beat the Lions 24-17 in their second preseason game.
Wilson, 26, completed 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown pass, a major improvement over the Dolphins’ first preseason game, when the BYU alum went a mediocre 5-for-9 for 96 yards against the Bears.
The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is slated to be the Dolphins’ backup quarterback behind Pro Bowler Tua Tagovailoa after signing a one-year deal worth $6 million with the team back in March after spending 2024 with the Broncos.
Dolphins rookie Quinn Ewers also had a solid showing on Saturday, completing 11 of 17 passes for 116 yards.
“The journey of a quarterback is being able to take whatever reps you get and play your game,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters after the game. “This was a good day for both of those guys. Quinn made the most of his opportunities and Zach did some nice things in the first half.”
Ewers, whom the Dolphins selected in the seventh round of the 2025 draft out of Texas, is expected to serve as Miami’s third-string QB.
With both Wilson and Ewers performing well on Saturday, McDaniel was not ready to declare either quarterback the winner on the day.
“I’m not going to overreact to one day of results,” he said. “We’re going to focus on the process.”
Since arriving in Miami earlier this year, Wilson has been appreciative of the advice he has received from the Dolphins’ coaches.
“It’s crazy because I’ve never been told before at past places like, ‘Hey, you’re late.’” Wilson said of his throws after a practice in June. “Even with a strong arm, it’s not like, ‘Hey, you’re late on this throw.’”
Wilson pointed to the Dolphins’ receiving core as the reason behind the constructive criticism
“We have so much speed,” Wilson said about his receiver group then. “I have to trust this receiver is going to be there.”
