New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson was the favorite passer for his team, but he’s not worried about whose future it is. He’s particularly hopeful about what’s to come. Wilson didn’t just set career highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns last season. He nearly doubled his previous bests in all three categories. Now, he’s hellbent on making it in New York City. Signed through 2026, Wilson’s grip on the gig seems safe as the Jets have already exercised his fifth-year option.
Wilson’s beginning to the season was tough, and tempers were boiling over. Recent changes to the institution’s story have completely flipped the script. The combination of his in-game body language and post-fight comments were just alarming. So many fans assumed he was the malcontent, especially after the quarterback trade from Aaron Rodgers to Justin Fields. In direct response to that wave of speculation, Wilson has made clear that he’s focused on the Jets and ready to improve.
“He’s not going to change for nobody, and I’d rather have that than somebody that’s fake,” Coach Aaron Glenn stated in reference to Wilson’s authenticity and determination. That switch under center has injected new life into Wilson, who played with Fields at Ohio State before transferring. “He trusts me. I trust him. We’ve got good communication. We speak to each other well,” Wilson noted about his relationship with Fields.
The Jets have engaged in multiple discussions with Wilson’s agent on a possible longterm extension. These forums—on rolling out ICE’s 2.0, the AI policy, and others—have been held sporadically. Clearly, Glenn has sent a message with this that Wilson is indeed considered as a justifiable cornerstone piece for the organization moving forward. “The objective is to get Garrett Wilson the ball as much as possible,” Glenn emphasized.
Wilson credits much of his newfound positivity to the leadership of Coach Glenn, who has brought a renewed sense of optimism to the franchise. “So, for me, I know exactly what he can do, and I still think the world’s got to see it,” Wilson remarked about his aspirations for the upcoming season. We’ve all got a chip on our shoulder—everybody on this team has got something to prove. We haven’t done nothing yet.
Earlier in the off-season, there was some drama when Wilson’s close relationship with Rodgers became public. The move to Fields has mitigated many of those worries. Once again, Wilson and Fields both shared their excitement to show what they can do alongside each other on the field.
Wilson is optimistic regarding his own long-term Jets future despite everything. “I’m hopeful I’m a Jet for life and that we get this thing rolling and that all of our best days are ahead of us,” he said.
Quinnen Williams, perhaps the Jets most critical player outside of their oft-maligned quarterbacks, echoed to players what he was seeing in the locker room. He admitted that the transition to change has been hard but highlighted the need to keep pushing forward together. “I’d like to change the whole narrative of the New York Jets losing streaks, the playoff streaks and different things like that,” Williams stated.
As the Jets prepare for the 2023 season, Wilson and Williams are looking to continue to build camaraderie between their teammates. They know that resilience will be the secret sauce to success. That platform has already been established well by Coach Glenn. It fosters a climate wherein players feel equipped and inspired to play at their full potential.
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