Saints Sign Former Jets QB Zach Wilson

Five key facts about the new Saints quarterback

Mar. 27, 2026 at 10:20pm

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The New Orleans Saints have signed former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson as a free agent. Wilson, the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jets before joining the Saints. Here are five key things to know about the Saints' new signal-caller.

Why it matters

The Saints are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season, and the addition of Wilson provides them with a talented young quarterback to potentially lead their offense in the coming years. Wilson has shown flashes of his potential in the NFL, and the change of scenery could help him take the next step in his development.

The details

Wilson joins the Saints after spending the previous two seasons as a backup for the Denver Broncos in 2024 and the Miami Dolphins in 2025. During his time with the Jets, Wilson started 33 games, completing 566 of his 993 passes for 6,293 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also added 93 rushing attempts for 498 yards and five touchdowns. Wilson was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 14 of the 2023 season after leading the Jets to a 30-6 win over the Houston Texans.

  • Wilson was drafted second overall by the Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft.
  • He spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jets from 2021 to 2023.
  • Wilson joined the Broncos in 2024 and the Dolphins in 2025 as a backup before signing with the Saints in 2026.

The players

Zach Wilson

A 6-2, 214-pound quarterback who was drafted second overall by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jets, starting 33 games and throwing for 6,293 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Mickey Loomis

The Executive Vice President and General Manager of the New Orleans Saints, who announced the signing of Zach Wilson.

Robert Saleh

The former head coach of the New York Jets, who praised Wilson's performance in a 2023 game against the Houston Texans.

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What they’re saying

“He was awesome. I felt like he was extremely decisive. He played fast. There were a lot of 'oh crap' moments where he stayed within the moment, and he made things work. He made a lot of things happen on his own.”

— Robert Saleh, Former Jets Head Coach

What’s next

The Saints will look to integrate Wilson into their offense and see if he can become their long-term answer at quarterback as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

The takeaway

The addition of Zach Wilson provides the Saints with a talented young quarterback with significant NFL experience, giving them the opportunity to develop him and potentially turn him into their franchise signal-caller for the coming years.