Saints Take a Swing on Wilson: A Low-Risk, High-Upside Gamble?
Look, the news dropped: Zach Wilson is headed to New Orleans on a one-year deal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke it, and it feels… well, it feels like a very Saints move. They’re always looking for that diamond in the rough, that reclamation project. After all, this is the team that squeezed a few more good years out of Jameis Winston after his Tampa Bay roller coaster.
Wilson’s NFL journey has been anything but smooth. Drafted second overall in 2021 by the Jets, he was supposed to be the franchise savior. Instead, he threw 11 touchdowns against 14 interceptions in his rookie year. His completion percentage barely touched 55% that season. Not exactly what you want from a top pick. Year two wasn’t much better, with four touchdowns and five picks in nine starts. He even got benched for Mike White. The guy just never found his footing in New York, and the pressure cooker of that market didn't help. He finished his Jets tenure with a career passer rating of 73.2. That's a tough number to spin.
What the Saints Are Really Buying
So, what are the Saints getting? They’re not getting a starting quarterback, not with Derek Carr still under contract. Carr threw for 3,878 yards last season, with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He’s the guy. Wilson is depth, plain and simple. He’s the guy who will compete with Jake Haener for the QB2 spot. Haener, a fourth-round pick in 2023, didn't see any regular season action last year, but the Saints clearly liked something they saw in him during training camp. This move puts Haener on notice. It also gives Dennis Allen another arm to evaluate in practice, another fresh set of eyes on a young player who still possesses raw talent. You can't deny Wilson's arm strength; he can make throws few others can. It’s the consistency, the decision-making, that has always been the issue. The Saints are betting they can unlock that.
A Change of Scenery, or Just More of the Same?
Here’s the thing: a change of scenery can work wonders. Look at Geno Smith. He bounced around for years before finding his groove in Seattle. But Smith had a decade of experience and growth before his breakout 2022 season, where he threw for over 4,200 yards and 30 touchdowns. Wilson is only 24. He’s still incredibly young for a quarterback. The pressure in New York was immense, almost suffocating. He played behind a constantly shuffling offensive line and rarely had consistent weapons outside of Garrett Wilson. In New Orleans, he’ll be out of the spotlight, learning under Carr and veteran offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. He won't be expected to be the hero. He'll be expected to compete, to learn, and maybe, just maybe, to develop. If he can improve his completion percentage to even 60% and cut down on the turnovers, that's a win for the Saints.
My Take: Don't Expect Miracles
I don't think Wilson ever becomes a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. That ship sailed in New York. But I do think he has a legitimate chance to be a solid backup in this league. The Saints aren’t paying him much for a one-year deal; it’s a low-risk flyer. If it doesn't work out, they cut ties next year with minimal financial impact. If it does, they've found a cheap, talented backup. It's a smart organizational move. My bold prediction? Wilson sees significant playing time in 2024, not because he's earned the starting job, but because Carr struggles with accuracy and the team needs a spark after a 3-5 start to the season.