Jets’ Future At Stake: Would Trading Garrett Wilson Be a Step Backwards for Jets
After all the media attention from the preseason, the last thing the New York Jets want is another critical light to shine on them. With a 4-10 record before Christmas and more negative press than wins, the team wants to put this year behind them. Unfortunately, it could come at the price of one of their young stars. Since arriving in 2022, wide receiver Garrett Wilson has been adored by fans and media alike. After an entertaining career at Ohio State, Wilson is on pace for a great start to his career. However, could this be his last in New York? With long-term uncertainty at quarterback and head coach, along with being due for a raise, has he reached his wits end with the team? Teams will be interested in a trade for a receiver of Wilson’s caliber. However, it’s more important to the team to retain such a young star.
Would a Garrett Wilson Trade Really Help the Jets?
During the 2022 NFL Draft, the New York Jets were in a fortunate position. After trading away Ex-Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams the previous year to the Seattle Seahawks, the Jets had two first-round picks in the top ten. After using the fourth overall pick on Cincinnati cornerback Sauce Gardner, general manager Joe Douglas chose Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson with the tenth pick. Wilson played three seasons at Ohio State before entering the draft. After two years with Justin Fields, Wilson had the best season of his college career with CJ Stroud under center. He finished with 1,058 yards on 70 catches with twelve touchdowns.
Soon, Wilson brought those playmaking abilities with him to New York. Despite having played with three different quarterbacks, Wilson was essential to the offense. With 1,103 yards and four touchdowns on 83 catches, Wilson finished as the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Despite another year of uncertainty at quarterback, that didn’t stop the wide receiver from impacting the game. After playing with Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemien, the wide receiver had another 1,000-yard receiving season in 2023. Garrett Wilson is also owed a contract extension coming up. 2025 season will be his fifth-year option.
Garrett Wilson’s 2024 season
While Aaron Rodgers has managed to put up a positive touchdown-to-turnover ratio recently, it’s hardly been an efficient season for the veteran quarterback. Although he ranks within the top 10 for passing touchdowns, he’s within the bottom 10 for quarterback efficiency. Much like his rambling on The Pat McAfee Show, it’s a tough watch at times. While many variables come into play, one person excused from this is Garrett Wilson.
Through 14 games, Garrett Wilson has been having a career year. 933 yards on 84 receptions with six touchdowns. With three games left this season, Wilson will likely have over 1,000 receiving yards for a third year in a row. A third 1,000-yard season would put Wilson in elite company within the franchise. Wilson would tie Greg Saucer for second all-time with three 1,000-yard seasons. Only Don Maynard has more in franchise history with five. A stable offense from 2025 and beyond, he has a chance to break the record if he avoids major injury.
