 Wilson with theNew York Jets in 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 0 – Miami Dolphins | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1999-08-03)August 3, 1999 (age 26) Draper, Utah, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 214 lb (97 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Corner Canyon(Draper, Utah) | ||||||||||||||
| College | BYU (2018–2020) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2021: 1st round,2nd overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Zachary Kapono Wilson (born August 3, 1999) is an American professionalfootballquarterback for theMiami Dolphins of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theBYU Cougars and was selectedsecond overall by theNew York Jets in the2021 NFL draft. Wilson served as the Jets' starter during his first three seasons, but inconsistent play led to him being traded to theDenver Broncos in 2024. He joined the Dolphins the following season.
Wilson was born inDraper, Utah,[1][2] on August 3, 1999.[3] He attendedCorner Canyon High School, where he playedhigh school football.[4] He passed for 2,986 yards and 24touchdowns while also rushing for 752 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. Wilson originally committed to playquarterback atBoise State University before later decommitting and choosing to attendBrigham Young University (BYU).[5]
As a true freshman atBYU in 2018, Wilson played in nine games and made seven starts.[6] He started his first career game against theHawaii Rainbow Warriors, becoming the youngest quarterback to start a game for BYU.[7] He finished the season having completed 120 of 182 passes for 1,578 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.[8] He was named the MVP of the2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl after completing all 18 of his passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns in the 49–18 victory over theWestern Michigan Broncos.[9]
As a sophomore in 2019, Wilson started nine games, completing 199 of 319 passes for 2,382 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.[10][11] That season, the Cougars were invited to the2019 Hawaii Bowl, where Wilson was named BYU's MVP in the Cougars' 38–34 loss to theHawaii Rainbow Warriors.[12]
As a junior in 2020, Wilson started 12 games and completed 247 of 336 passes for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 255 yards and 10 touchdowns, breakingSteve Young's school completion percentage in a season at 73.5 percent.[3][13][14] He helped lead BYU to a 10–1 regular season mark.[15] He was named the offensive MVP of the2020 Boca Raton Bowl after completing 26 of 34 passes for 425 yards and three touchdowns in the 49–23 victory over theUCF Knights.[16] He andUSC safetyTalanoa Hufanga were selected as recipients of the 2020 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.[3]
_Cougars_24%2c_University_of_Arizona_Wildcats_16%2c_Allegiant_Stadium%2c_Las_Vegas%2c_Nevada_(51426850531).jpg)
| Season | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2018 | BYU | 9 | 7 | 120 | 182 | 65.9 | 1,578 | 12 | 3 | 157.2 | 75 | 221 | 2.9 | 2 |
| 2019 | BYU | 9 | 9 | 199 | 319 | 62.4 | 2,382 | 11 | 9 | 130.8 | 68 | 186 | 2.7 | 3 |
| 2020 | BYU | 12 | 12 | 247 | 336 | 73.5 | 3,692 | 33 | 3 | 196.4 | 72 | 286 | 4.0 | 10 |
| Career | 30 | 28 | 566 | 837 | 67.6 | 7,652 | 56 | 15 | 162.9 | 215 | 693 | 3.2 | 15 | |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft2+1⁄8 in (1.88 m) | 214 lb (97 kg) | 30+5⁄8 in (0.78 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | |||||||||
| All values fromPro Day[17][18][19] | ||||||||||||
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A top quarterback prospect in the2021 NFL draft, Wilson was selected second overall by theNew York Jets. He was the second of five quarterbacks taken in the first round and the highest-ever drafted fromBYU.[20][21] Wilson signed a four-year deal on July 29, 2021, that was worth $35.15 million fully guaranteed, along with a $22.9 million signing bonus and a fifth year option.[22][23]
In his debut against theCarolina Panthers, Wilson had an interception in the first half, but finished with 258 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a rushing 2-point conversion in the 19–14 defeat.[24] During the Jets' home opener in Week 2, Wilson threw four interceptions against theNew England Patriots, including on his first two pass attempts. The Jets subsequently lost 25–6.[25]
Following a 26–0 shutout loss to theDenver Broncos, in which he threw for 160 yards and two interceptions, Wilson earned his first career win against theTennessee Titans in Week 4. Wilson had one interception, but also threw two touchdowns and completed 21 of 34 passes for 297 yards. One of his touchdowns was a 53-yard pass to wide receiverCorey Davis that gave the Jets a 24–17 lead in the fourth quarter, with the team going on to win 27–24 in overtime.[26] Wilson threw his ninth interception during a Week 5 defeat to theAtlanta Falcons, making him the fourth NFL quarterback afterDeShone Kizer,Zach Mettenberger, andBlake Bortles to be intercepted in each of his first five starts.[27]
During Week 7 against the Patriots, Wilson suffered a knee injury in the second quarter after being hit by linebackerMatthew Judon. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game, withMike White replacing him in the 54–13 loss.[28] Following the defeat, it was announced that Wilson had a sprainedposterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which caused him to miss four games.[29] Wilson returned in Week 12 and won his first road game over theHouston Texans. He also scored his first rushing touchdown during the game.[30] Wilson lost four of his last five matchups, with his final win of the season coming against theJacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.[31] However, he improved his turnover differential by not throwing an interception in the five games.[32] Wilson finished his rookie season with 2,334 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 3–10 record.[33]
Wilson missed the first three games of 2022 season due to a non-contact bone bruise andmeniscus tear he suffered in the preseason opener against thePhiladelphia Eagles.[34] He made his season debut in Week 4 against thePittsburgh Steelers and despite throwing two interceptions, had a 2-yard receiving touchdown from wide receiverBraxton Berrios and led the Jets on a fourth quarter comeback drive to secure the 24–20 victory.[35] The victory began a four-game winning streak for the Jets, although Wilson did not throw a touchdown pass in his next three games.[36] New York's streak ended with a 22–17 loss to the Patriots, in which Wilson had a career-high 355 passing yards and two touchdowns, but also three interceptions.[37] Wilson rebounded the following week when he completed 18 of 25 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown to help secure a 20–17 upset over theBuffalo Bills.[38]
After completing only 9 of 22 passes in a 10–3 loss to the Patriots the next game, Wilson was criticized for not attributing the loss to his performance.[39] Wilson was subsequently demoted to the third-string backup behindMike White and second-string backupJoe Flacco.[40] Ahead of Week 15, he was promoted to the second option and started the Jets' next two games due to an injury to White.[41] However, after struggling against theJacksonville Jaguars during Week 16, Wilson was benched forChris Streveler in the Jets' eventual 19–3 defeat.[42] Wilson was demoted back to third-string behind White and Flacco following White's return and did not take the field again for the remainder of the season.[43]
After the Jets acquired four-timeMVP quarterbackAaron Rodgers, Wilson was named Rodgers' backup for the 2023 season, but took the field in the Week 1Monday Night Football matchup against the Bills when Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury on his first drive.[44] Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the 22–16 victory.[45] He was subsequently promoted to starting quarterback.[46] After struggling in his first two starts of the season,[47] Wilson had a strong performance against theKansas City Chiefs onSunday Night Football, throwing for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns to overcome a 17–0 deficit to tie the game at 20.[48] However, he lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that allowed Kansas City to win 23–20.[49]
Wilson led the Jets to three straight wins the following weeks, including an upset win over the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, as well as driving 58 yards in 24 seconds with no timeouts on the game-tying drive against the Giants.[50] However, following three weeks of struggles, Wilson was benched forTim Boyle late in the third quarter of a 32–6 Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He finished the game completing 7 of 15 passes for 81 yards and an interception, although he threw the Jets' first touchdown in 13 quarters of play.[51] Following the Bills loss, Wilson was demoted to third-string quarterback behind Boyle andTrevor Siemian.[52]
After losing both games Boyle started in, the Jets released Boyle and renamed Wilson as their starter for Week 14 against the Texans.[53] In his return, Wilson completed 27 of 36 passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions as the Jets won 30–6. He also finished the game with a 117.9passer rating, the highest mark of his career.[54] Wilson was namedAmerican Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.[55] The following week against theMiami Dolphins, Wilson suffered a concussion during the second quarter and did not return. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the season.[56]
On April 23, 2024, theDenver Broncos announced that they had acquired Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 256;Nick Gargiulo) from the Jets in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 203; theMinnesota Vikings selectedWill Reichard).[57] The Broncos declined the fifth-year option on Wilson's contract, making him a free agent after the 2024 season.[58] Denver announced that Wilson would begin the season as the team’s third-string quarterback, behindBo Nix andJarrett Stidham.[59] He did not appear in a game during the season.
On March 17, 2025, Wilson signed a one-year, $6 million deal with theMiami Dolphins.[60][61]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Sck | Yds | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2021 | NYJ | 13 | 13 | 3–10 | 213 | 383 | 55.6 | 2,334 | 6.1 | 54 | 9 | 11 | 69.7 | 29 | 185 | 6.4 | 52 | 4 | 44 | 370 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | NYJ | 9 | 9 | 5–4 | 132 | 242 | 54.5 | 1,688 | 7.0 | 79 | 6 | 7 | 72.8 | 28 | 102 | 3.6 | 18 | 1 | 23 | 175 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | NYJ | 12 | 11 | 4–7 | 221 | 368 | 60.1 | 2,271 | 6.2 | 68 | 8 | 7 | 77.2 | 36 | 211 | 5.9 | 20 | 0 | 46 | 340 | 11 | 7 |
| 2024 | DEN | 0 | 0 | — | DNP | |||||||||||||||||
| Career | 34 | 33 | 12–21 | 566 | 993 | 57.0 | 6,293 | 6.3 | 79 | 23 | 25 | 73.2 | 93 | 498 | 5.4 | 52 | 5 | 113 | 885 | 17 | 9 | |
Wilson was born to Michael and Lisa Wilson (née Neeleman) and has three brothers, one of whom is college quarterbackIsaac Wilson, and two sisters.[62][8] He is partHawaiian on his father's side, with his middle nameKapono meaning "righteous" in theHawaiian language.[3][8] Some other members of his family include airline entrepreneurDavid Neeleman andHealthEquity co-founder Stephen Neeleman.[8]
Wilson was diagnosed withattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a child, a trait that runs in his family.[8][63] Wilson was baptized as a member ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has said that he "didn't grow up active in the church [and] was never really a churchgoer..." He considers himself a spiritual person, tellingDeseret News "I have always had a good relationship with God in my life."[63]
Wilson has been friends with former BYU Cougars teammateDax Milne since childhood.[64]
In June 2024, Wilson announced his engagement to girlfriend Nicolette Dellanno.[65] On June 28, 2025, Wilson and Nicolette were married in New York City.[66]
