Zach Wilson, facing the challenge of reviving his NFL career, made a notable debut with the New Orleans Saints, completing 11 of 16 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Now with his fourth team since being drafted second overall by the New York Jets in 2021, Wilson demonstrated his ability to make downfield throws, connecting with receivers for multiple significant gains. He led the Saints' offense to a touchdown and a field goal in the first half.
"Obviously, I'm here to compete," Wilson stated after the game. "I'm still young, but I feel like I've been able to play in a lot of games and see a lot of different things, and so I feel like it's been able to slow down a little bit for me."
Second-year coach Kellen Moore acknowledged Wilson's talent. "Zach's a really talented quarterback," Moore said. "He's still got tons of growing to do and I think he's done a great job of applying himself this year in this system. So, I'm proud of what he was able to do out there."
Wilson's performance comes weeks after he and his wife, Nicolette, welcomed their newborn daughter, Francesca Belle. The baby was born seven weeks premature on July 22nd and spent seven weeks in the NICU. Nicolette shared photos of the family on Instagram, describing their daughter as an "absolute rockstar."
"Our sweet Francesca Belle came into the world seven weeks early on July 22nd, and we couldn't love her more," Nicolette wrote in her post. "She has been an absolute rockstar in the NICU, growing stronger every single day, and we can't wait for the day we finally bring her home! Miss Frankie Girl, you've already changed our lives in the most beautiful way. You've filled our hearts with a love we never knew was possible, and we couldn't love you more, sweet baby girl!!!"
The announcement of their daughter's birth garnered well wishes from across the sports world, including from Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former Jets teammate Garrett Wilson.
The couple married in June 2025.