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.
Potential targets for a Garrett Wilson trade
Houston Texans
Garrett Wilson will draw a lot of interest around the league. Few teams make as much sense as the Houston Texans. Despite the presence of Tank Dell and Nico Collins, the Texans want to ensure CJ Stroud has everything he needs to succeed. Perhaps a reunion with his former Buckeyes teammate could help. Pairing Wilson in a loaded wide receiver room can help elevate the Houston Texans to the next level of playoff contenders.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback Caleb Williams is getting adjusted to the NFL. While he’s shown sparks, questions remain on how he whether he has the consistency to be a franchise quarterback. With a new head coach for the Chicago Bears on the horizon, it would be wise to upgrade his weapons on offense. DJ Moore and Rome Odunze have struggled to find chemistry with Williams and Keenan Allen is a free agent after this year. A wide receiver of Wilson’s caliber can be a safety net for a developing young quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have big questions this offseason. Both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are owed contract extensions. Likely, Cincinnati can only afford one of the two with Higgins potentially the odd man out. If that’s the case, why not grab another weapon for Joe Burrow? Wilson’s Buckeyes tenure has already endeared him to the public in Ohio. A return home playing with a young MVP-caliber quarterback and joined by a top-five receiver could be a spark to the Bengals offense long term.
Should the Jets trade Garrett Wilson?
There’s no question Garrett Wilson would provide New York with at least one to two first-round picks. Those will be valuable for a new front office regime beginning a rebuild. However, trading away Garrett Wilson would be a mistake. Through years of hard work, Garrett Wilson has shown he takes pride in playing for this team.
His “animated presence” should be seen as an asset for the belief he has in this team and a desire to win. He’s been through it with an unstable quarterback room and questionable coaching. Nonetheless, owner Woody Johnson went through the same process with Keyshawn Johnson nearly 25 years ago. Unfortunately for Woody, Keyshawn was the one who wound up a Super Bowl Champion. It’s easy to want to move on and collect picks, but a player like Garrett Wilson should remain on the franchise for as long as possible.
Main Photo: [Nathan Ray Seebeck] – USA Today Sports
