The Dolphins had been strategic about who they wished as a backup for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2025.
Head coach Mike McDaniel defined that the group spent a “appreciable period of time” finding out Zach Wilson earlier than signing the previous No. 2 total choose to a one-year deal final month.
“To be fairly frank, it’s an inexact science, however we thought he was the best choice for us,” McDaniel mentioned when requested about his confidence in Wilson whereas on the NFL league conferences in Palm Seaside, Fla. this week. “I feel he was very a lot — I suppose you guys wouldn’t know this, I suppose you guys are flying blind so let me assist you to out (laughter) — he was a direct calculated goal.
“We thought that was a manner that the Miami Dolphins may get higher and are excited to see how he seizes that chance.”
Wilson, 25, spent final season with the Broncos, however he didn’t play a snap in Denver after dropping the beginning quarterback competitors to Bo Nix, the No. 12 total choose within the 2024 NFL Draft.
The BYU product served because the Jets’ starter throughout his first three seasons earlier than inconsistent play led to him being traded to the Broncos.
McDaniel went on to reward Wilson for a way he dealt with himself as a excessive draft choose by the Jets in 2021, and taking over the beginning position that season.
“This was one thing that was on our thoughts for a substantial period of time and it goes again to all people has a special circumstance… I watched each snap of his collegiate play, and he was an outstanding expertise that for my part didn’t have reps in an NFL pocket but,” McDaniel mentioned. “Like at BYU he was launching it from about 10 and 11 yards deep and also you’re not within the telephone sales space, and so my estimation, there was going to be some nuanced development to his recreation that I feel it’s near not possible to excel that early in that new type of soccer that he was taking part in.
“That’s highly effective to me in that there’s only a few those who know what it’s wish to be drafted excessive in New York Metropolis, and so then to see his resolve, to see the place he’s digested the entire state of affairs. It’s like something for all of us; when you have adversity in your life, that may be a supply of power and development, or it might be a supply of all proper, that’s what defines you and you may’t recover from that.
“What I see in Zach is the expertise of being the second choose within the draft, being the starter Week 1 after which not fulfilling the rookie contract; that’s behind him. So to me, that’s an thrilling prospect as a result of you’ll be able to’t put a measurement on that human capacity that’s big on the quarterback place.”
Wilson has accomplished 57 % of his profession passes for six,293 yards with 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.
McDaniel added that Tagovailoa had success inside the Dolphins’ present tradition and system.
“Not evaluating the gamers in any respect — on the document, not evaluating the gamers — Tua [Tagovailoa] discovered that this setting helped him via that course of,” McDaniel mentioned. “As coaches, we wish to provide actually every part to his recreation and I’m enthusiastic about the place he’s at primarily based upon him.”
