One Dolphins player has escaped trade deadline buzz so far — but he probably shouldn’t, no matter what happens against the Ravens
They do say you can never have enough depth at this position…
The Miami Dolphins will play their ninth game of the 2025 season Thursday — a home tilt against the Baltimore Ravens. And, upon the kickoff to start the second half, the Miami Dolphins will be halfway through their regular season schedule.
Then, just a few days later, the 2025 NFL trade deadline will arrive. It brings with it one final chance for the Dolphins to declare their intentions for the second half of the season one way or another.
A good business move, at either 3-6 or 2-7, would likely be to seek at least one trade or budget reduction. There’s been plenty of focus on Miami’s pass rush room. Still, given the Dolphins’ position in the standings and some of the long-term questions facing this team, there’s probably another name we haven’t talked about enough as a viable candidate to trade away before the deadline.
Is anyone interested in a young backup quarterback with some upside?
The Miami Dolphins should explore interest in trading for QB Zach Wilson
It would be unwise to predict there’s a big market for a backup quarterback, particularly one in Zach Wilson, who we last saw as a starter with the New York Jets. He’s spent time in Denver and Miami since then, and there could be hope for him to salvage his career amid all of the other reclamation success stories in the NFL over recent years.
But there are a few teams dealing with injury issues who may be tempted to bring in a player like Wilson for the rest of the season — most notably the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy set to return to the lineup after an ankle injury, and his original backup, Carson Wentz, is out for the season with a left shoulder injury. The Vikings’ remaining quarterback room is rookie Max Brosmer and newly acquired practice squad quarterback John Wolford.
You mean to tell me the idea of a backup with some physical tools and starting experience wouldn’t be at least a little bit intriguing?
Recent NFL quarterback injuries
- Vikings backup QB Carson Wentz (shoulder), out for the year
- Bengals backup QB Joe Flacco (shoulder)
- Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (bone bruise)
- Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (foot)
Wilson also comes without some of the distractions of other veteran quarterbacks who may be available. Kirk Cousins back to Minnesota? That sounds like a circus, and it’s expensive. Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston in New York? Wilson would likely bring calls for a quarterback change if McCarthy struggled, and Winston comes with a 2026 guaranteed salary.
Zach Wilson would be a clean break for Minnesota after the season, and he’s cheap. Wilson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with Miami this offseason, fully guaranteed. But $4.75 million of that came in the form of a signing bonus, so Minnesota would only need to allocate the finances and cap space for 8/17ths of Wilson’s $1.25 million base salary, and then his deal expires at the end of the season.
Joe Flacco was traded (in the same division) amid a pick swap of fifth and sixth-round draft choices. That should give you an idea of the potential trade value a backup quarterback with starting experience could command. Miami, win or lose, should consider that.
It flirted with elevating Quinn Ewers to the backup position already this season, and the outlook of Miami’s slow start dramatically changes the need for it to have sturdy depth at quarterback the rest of the way. And a draft choice in Ewers performing well in any future opportunities to start is probably a better vindication of the coach and the front office than Wilson, too.
So what do you say, Miami? Win or lose tonight — pick up the phone and give the Vikings a call. See what they think.
Miami Dolphins News
The Dolphins’ trade deadline plans could hinge on Thursday night — here are three teams that should be on speed dial
With a loss, it may be time to face the music.
