There weren’t many eyes on a battle between Zach Wilson and Spencer Rattler for the New Orleans Saints backup quarterback role. Wilson forced that to change on Saturday, and even opposing team’s media are taking notice. Wilson’s game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars was so impressive that one reporter suggested the Jaguars trade for him right then and there to backup Trevor Lawrence.
Ironically, the two teams did exactly that last year. The Saints and Jaguars played in the second preseason game last year, and swapped Khaulen Saunders for Luke Fortner after the game. The trade paid dividends for the Saints last year and was quietly one of the biggest moves the Saints made last year.Â
The Jaguars would hope Wilson never has to see the field, but the Florida-Times Union’s Ryan O’Halloran is calling for Jacksonville to invest in the insurance plan. During the game, he posted “the Jaguars should flip a late-round pick to New Orleans at halftime and have Zach Wilson hop aboard the charter home" on social media.
Zach Wilson made a clear statement in Saints debut that he is ready for more opportunity
Obviously, the Jaguars couldn't make the trade at halftime, and they haven't done so in the days following the game. It's not as much about the Saints trading him anywhere as it is about Wilson rehabilitating his image.
It was a trainwreck for Wilson with the New York Jets. For a player who was believed to be picked way too high at the time, his career has just been confirmation of that belief, and he was quickly cast off. Saturday's performance looked like a player giving a reminder that the talent that got people excited once upon a time.
In a backup role, that's all you really need to get people excited. We aren't talking about Wilson as a starter. Even the trade would have resulted in him sitting behind Lawrence.
With the increase of failed former first rounders finding success after going on tour, making a few stops as a backup, there's always eyes open for the next Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield. We're a long way from Wilson being that, but O'Halloran's comments show at least someone is seeing value in Wilson's talent.
The Saints could show they see the value by him getting reps with the second team in practice. It's been all Spencer Rattler, but Wilson had the better game on Saturday by a wide margin. It doesn't mean Rattler doesn't still have the edge for the position, but Wilson has done enough to earn the chance to make this a battle.
It's still early, but it's no rush to judgement to say Wilson's performance in the preseason game earned him more opportunity and put a more focused eye on him.
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