At peace with myself’: Zach Wilson on signing with Saints, his NFL career, and ‘a brutal 3 years’ in New York

New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson (4) throws during practice in Metairie, La., Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

|

Matthew Hinton, Associated Press

Five years ago, former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson left the relative comfort of his parents’ home in Draper and his apartment in Provo for the bright lights of Broadway, and the searing spotlight of the largest media market in the world, New York City.

Having been selected with the No. 2 pick of the 2021 NFL draft by the lowly and ever-struggling New York Jets , Wilson had “sort of an idea” of what he was getting himself into, but the reality of the situation wouldn’t really hit him until months, or even years, later.

“My biggest fear going there was that I didn’t want to be another Sam Darnold, Geno Smith story,” he said Wednesday in one of his few public interviews since leaving the Jets after the 2023 season. “Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. It was a brutal three years, but looking back, there was a lot of good life experiences that I take from it that I feel like made me a better person.”

“If I could still go back, I would love to change the whole thing. I would love to be where I feel like I am right now,”

Zach Wilson on his NFL journey Wilson recently appeared at a ticketed event at Overtime Cards in Sandy in which customers paid $25 to have him sign an unlimited amount of sports memorabilia from his days with BYU, New York, Denver and Miami. Fans got pictures taken with the hometown hero , and Wilson took some time to chat with the Deseret News about a variety of topics. Mostly, he provided an update on his NFL career as he enters his sixth season in the league — with his fourth different team, the New Orleans Saints.

In March, after spending the 2024 season with the Broncos and the 2025 season with the Dolphins, Wilson signed a $1.4 million, one-year deal with the Saints . Nearly $600K is guaranteed, and an additional $187,500 signing bonus came with the agreement, according to several published reports.

“I love New Orleans. I mean, it’s still early on, but so far, it’s probably been one of my absolute favorite places I’ve been,” he said, noting that second-year Saints head coach Kellen Moore is a “big reason” why he picked that route. “Between there and being in Denver, they have very similar styles of offense, and it just fits my style of play so well. And I really love Kellen. I think he does an awesome job.”

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, left, takes a break with quarterback Spencer Rattler, center, and quarterback Zach Wilson, right, during the practice in Metairie, La., Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

|

Matthew Hinton, Associated Press

Wilson said he had a few other options after his one-year contract (valued at $6 million) with the Dolphins expired in February, but he kept going back to the coach and system that would help him reach his potential the most, and that was Moore and the Saints.

“I really wanted to be there working with him, and it’s been exactly what I expected,” Wilson said. “I really have enjoyed being there, and the team in general. Their other quarterbacks are great, and I’m really enjoying just playing ball again right now. That’s all I can ask for.”

Moore and Wilson are both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , although Wilson has repeatedly said he hasn’t been an active churchgoer since his youth and doesn’t want to be considered a “poster boy” for the church like former BYU quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Jaren Hall have been portrayed.

Hill was with the Saints for nine seasons, but the team did not offer the veteran utility player a new contract after the season and he is now an unrestricted free agent .

“We talked a little bit a while ago,” Wilson said. “I am not sure what Taysom’s plan is.”

Surprise delivery makes Wilson a first-time father

Remarkably, Wilson, who turns 27 early next month, fulfilled the commitment to event organizers on July 22 even though his wife of just more than a year, dress designer and social media influencer Nicolette Dellanno , earlier that day had given birth to a baby girl who was due on Sept. 4.

They have named their daughter Francesca Belle Wilson and will call her Frankie, Wilson said proudly before rushing back to the hospital in Provo to be with his family.

“My wife wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so we went to just get a little checkup, and then she was progressing and the doctors were like, ‘the baby is ready to come now,’” Wilson said. “Baby girl, 33 weeks, born right across the street from BYU. Honestly, it was a good birth, my wife wasn’t sick or anything, and was comfortable. We’re extremely grateful.”

The sudden arrival means a sudden change of plans for the Wilsons, who have been living in Mapleton in a new home that Zach’s brother, Josh, built “as kind of a spec home thing” that may or may not become Zach’s permanent home once his playing days are over.

The plan was to fly to New Orleans on Monday and have Wilson begin training camp with the Saints on Wednesday, then have Nicolette deliver the baby in New Orleans in September. At least they already have their housing situation settled in New Orleans, as Wilson participated in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) from April 15 to June 18 and got everything ready in the Big Easy.

Will Zach Wilson make the Saints’ roster?

Wilson joins a quarterback room in New Orleans that features undisputed starter Tyler Shough, who was 5-4 as a starter last year with 2,384 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. Former Oklahoma and South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler returns as a backup after losing the starting job to Shough midway through last season.

Most reports indicate that Wilson and Rattler will compete for the QB2 designation. Former Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers, who played for the UFL’s Houston Gamblers this past spring, is also on the training camp roster.

“I have some guaranteed money, obviously, but not as much as I probably had last year in Miami,” W...

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →