The interest was mutual between free agent quarterback Zach Wilson and the New Orleans Saints, even though New Orleans has an entrenched starter (Tyler Shough) and a backup (Spencer Rattler) with 13 NFL starts on his ledger.

"There were some other teams I was looking at," Wilson said. "I know New Orleans is in a little bit of a rebuild as well, and that can be a plus or a minus, however you look at it.

"But I felt like for me, I picked based off of priorities — like, finding (coaches) that had played the position, an offense that I felt comfortable with, that I could go in and play well, a great fan base, great culture, great place to live. That stuff was maybe more important to me than some of the other things you look at in the process of free agency."

Head coach Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien are all former NFL quarterbacks, which made Wilson more confident in his decision to join New Orleans.

"Priority for me is getting into an offense that I feel like fits me," said Wilson, who made 33 starts in 38 games in five years. "And I felt like with Kellen, and our offensive coordinator and QB coach as well...I feel like it's a good fit there. Somebody that knows how to develop the position the right way and handle it the right way. I like what we do protection-wise and scheme-wise. That stuff is important. The rest of it, if I just go out there and I do my best, I feel like things will work out."

Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, comes to the Saints having completed 572 of 1,004 passes for 6,325 yards and 23 touchdowns, with 25 interceptions, and 96 carries for 499 yards and five touchdowns.

He was previously with the Jets (2021-23), Denver ('24) and Miami ('25).

"I feel like I've learned a lot over the last five years," he said. "Hopefully I can use that going in and just be able to pick up the offense quickly and have a good idea that I've run most of these things before at some point in the past. And maybe they're a little different, but (it) just helps me to adjust a little bit quicker. The game experience helps, for sure."

Wilson described his first five years as "crazy," but expressed gratitude for the journey.

"A lot of learning," he said. "I'm extremely grateful for just the opportunity to be in the NFL and how hard that is every single day. Met a lot of good people and good friends along the way and hopefully I can continue to keep burning and getting better."

New Orleans' offense will present an opportunity for him to do what he does best.

"Just a lot of the rhythm and timing and footwork stuff, their ability to play fast and with high tempo, get out of the pocket quarterbacks that are mobile," Wilson said. "As I get into more of the schematics of it and learning the offense, it's similar to what I was doing in Denver with Coach (Sean) Payton as well and what you kind of see from the Rams and Matthew Stafford as well, a little bit of gunslinger and the ability to just play ball. So I'm excited about that."

Wilson will compete with Rattler for the No. 2 spot behind Shough.

"I'm going in just trying to compete, whatever that means," he said. "I can't control where I sit or what's going on from the quarterback position or anything. So, for me it's just being a good teammate, get to know the guys, do everything I can to learn and study and do the best I can.

"And if I get an opportunity to play at any point, whether that's preseason or season or practice — it doesn't matter — just go out there, do my best and try and help the team."