Saints Hand Zach Wilson a Throwaway Ticket, Not a Second Chance
Look, we all saw the news flash across our phones Wednesday afternoon. Zach Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, is reportedly headed to New Orleans on a one-year deal. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the story, confirming what many of us suspected: Wilson's time with the Broncos was always going to be short-lived after they brought in Bo Nix. This isn't a surprise. What is surprising, though, is the sheer lack of imagination from the Saints front office.
Another Backup, Another Missed Opportunity
Let's be clear: this isn't a depth signing that moves the needle. Jameis Winston left for the Browns, and the Saints needed another arm behind Derek Carr. Wilson fits that bill, technically. He completed 60.1% of his passes for the Broncos last season, throwing eight touchdowns against seven interceptions in 12 games. Those are backup numbers, plain and simple. And let's not forget the baggage. His 12-21 record as a starter with the Jets and Broncos isn't inspiring. He threw more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23) in 34 career games before arriving in Denver. That's a grim stat line for a guy picked second overall in 2021.
Here's the thing: the Saints are stuck in quarterback purgatory. Carr is fine, but he's not a Super Bowl-caliber signal-caller. He threw for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2023, respectable numbers, but the team still finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs. Bringing in Wilson feels like another band-aid on a gushing wound. It’s a low-risk, no-reward move. They aren't trying to develop Wilson into a starter; they're hoping he can hold a clipboard and maybe, just maybe, not completely implode if Carr goes down. But even that feels like a big ask given Wilson's track record. His 73.5 career passer rating is abysmal.
The Quarterback Carousel Continues
The Saints have been trying to recapture the magic of Drew Brees since he retired in 2021. They've cycled through Winston, Andy Dalton, Taysom Hill, and now Carr. Each move felt like a desperate attempt to find an answer without truly committing to a long-term plan. Wilson is just the latest name on that ever-spinning carousel. He'll get a fresh start, sure, but how many fresh starts does a quarterback get before we call it what it is? He couldn't make it work with the Jets, a team desperate for a franchise QB. He couldn't make it work in Denver, where Sean Payton tried to salvage him. What makes New Orleans different?
The Saints' offensive line, which allowed Carr to be sacked 35 times last season, isn't suddenly going to become an impenetrable fortress. Their receiving corps, led by Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, is solid, but it's not a group that can elevate a struggling quarterback to stardom. This signing tells me the Saints are content with mediocrity. They're not swinging for the fences. They're bunting, hoping to get on base, and that's not how you win in the NFL.
A Prediction Nobody Wants to Hear
My hot take? Zach Wilson will not throw a single meaningful pass for the New Orleans Saints in the 2024 season. He'll be third string by mid-season, even if Carr stays healthy. And if Carr gets hurt, the Saints will be wishing they had invested in a more proven backup, or better yet, a legitimate long-term option in the draft. This is a move born of desperation and lack of vision, and it will prove to be utterly forgettable.