The Miami Dolphins signing Zach Wilson to a one-year, $6 million deal brings hope to both sides. It’s a fresh start for Wilson after a rocky stint with the New York Jets. For the Dolphins, it’s a chance to bolster their quarterback depth behind Tua Tagovailoa as they look to return to the playoffs in 2025. Head coach Mike McDaniel is entering a critical year after the franchise posted its first losing season in nearly three years.
Wilson is confident this new opportunity could be the turning point he’s been waiting for — and he’s putting a lot of faith in McDaniel’s leadership.
Zach Wilson ‘Excited’ About Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Wilson is eager to work with McDaniel, someone he’s admired from a distance since entering the league.
“I think just extremely raw, his ability to just be completely himself every single day is, I think, what you want in a coach. Somebody that is going to give you exactly the same guy every single day, and obviously he’s a phenomenal coach and shows how much he cares and invests in you, and so those are some of the qualities I’m just the most excited for,” Wilson said on Pro Football Talk.
The former No. 2 overall pick knows what it’s like to have the spotlight on him. His time with the Jets was filled with scrutiny and inconsistency, and that likely won’t change in Miami—even as a backup. The Dolphins hope Wilson doesn’t need to see the field, but with Tagovailoa’s history of injuries, it’s a realistic possibility.
Wilson says he’s prepared if that moment comes.
“I don’t know if it’s pressure. I mean, luckily I’ve played in a lot of games in the NFL so far, and so it’s just the ability to step in and make the offense feel like nothing’s changed from a leadership standpoint. Just command of the huddle, getting guys the information they need on each and every play and not skipping a beat kind of mentality going in there—that everyone feels comfortable that they’re able to completely do exactly what they’ve been doing,” he added.
Still, fitting into McDaniel’s system won’t be easy. The Dolphins ranked No. 15 in the league in Pro Football Network’s Offense+ metric last season — good, but with room to grow. The system relies heavily on rhythm, timing, and accuracy, which have been areas of concern for Wilson in the past.
Over three seasons with the Jets, Wilson completed 566 of 993 passes for 6,293 yards, throwing 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 34 games. He also struggled with consistency in the pocket and faced challenges commanding the offense, especially under pressure.
Now, in Miami, the expectations are different. He’s no longer being viewed as the face of a franchise. Instead, he’ll have a chance to develop behind a starter and potentially reshape the narrative around his NFL career.
If he can make the most of the opportunity, Wilson could not only revive his career but also prove to be a valuable asset for a Dolphins team aiming to get back to playoff football.