New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is the subject of trade rumors, and a recent tweet by the wide receiver suggests he wants to play with the Carolina Panthers. A first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Wilson immediately set the world on fire, winning Rookie of the Year honors while recording 83 receptions for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns. He proved he wasn’t a one-year fluke by recording 1,000-yard seasons in the next two campaigns, but he could be looking for a new home.
Wilson and current quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not see eye to eye, and reports indicate the wide receiver will request a trade if Rodgers returns. Even if the four-time NFL MVP departs, Wilson could still look for a change of scenery. In a recent Twitter post, Wilson went out of his way to complement Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, saying that “he is” better than people think. While Carolina could be a destination, don’t be surprised if he lands with a team like the New Orleans Saints or Las Vegas Raiders.
He is
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) January 7, 2025
Garrett Wilson Hints At Preferred Trade Destination With Latest Tweet
As the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young entered the NFL with visions of superstardom. After a disappointing rookie season highlighted by poor coaching and even worse weapons, Carolina hired Dave Canales, invested in the offensive line, and added several key weapons to try and salvage Young’s career. While he struggled early in the season, Young returned following an Andy Dalton car crash and played like a legitimate franchise quarterback down the stretch.
Only time will tell if Young can maintain his high level of play, but Wilson believes in the Alabama product’s potential. Carolina added some promising playmakers in first-round pick Xavier Legette and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker, but that shouldn’t stop the team from pursuing a Garrett Wilson trade. Wilson is one of the game’s premier young talents, and Legette and Coker have yet to prove they can play at that level. Arming an improved Young with a legitimate WR1 and two reliable complementary weapons could give the Panthers an above-average passing attack for the first time since the Cam Newton Era.
Other Destinations
Of course, the Carolina Panthers won’t be the only team interested in a Garrett Wilson trade. The New Orleans Saints are in a precarious position, as the team is in salary cap hell and quarterback Derek Carr said he won’t accept a pay cut. General Manager Mickey Loomis refuses to rebuild, so this team must find a way to add game-changing players without breaking the bank.
The best way to do that is through a trade, as Wilson is still on his rookie contract and is relatively cheap. Seeing as Chris Olave probably wants a trade of his own, the two teams could swap their 2022 first-round picks, although New Orleans will probably need to add a mid-round pick to sweeten the deal.
The Las Vegas Raiders are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Aidan O’Connell is not the long-term answer under center, but they don’t have the draft capital to land a prospect like Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. With no path to a superior young quarterback, Vegas must make life as easy as possible for O’Connell or veteran Gardner Minshew. Jakobi Meyers is an above-average starter, but adding Wilson will give the team a legitimate WR1 for the next 10 years.
Main Photo: Corey Perrine – USA Today Sports
