During the 2022 offseason, the Jets explored several avenues to upgrade at wide receiver. This included making trade offers for Tyreek Hill and Deebo Samuel and also pursuing the likes of A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and Amari Cooper. The route the team ended up taking provided early promise, but it has suddenly brought hiccups.
After two seasons with a bottom-tier quarterback targeting him, Garrett Wilson has seen Aaron Rodgers stay healthy and deliver a competent season — albeit one far off his MVP-level work from earlier this decade. Rodgers has peppered Wilson with targets, throwing him 141 passes — fourth-most in the NFL after Week 16 — and has the former Offensive Rookie of the Year on pace for his third 1,000-yard season. But Wilson’s happiness in New York has been in question for a bit.
Wilson joined Breece Hall in expressing disappointment in then-OC Nathaniel Hackett during the 2023 season, and Davante Adams has since usurped Wilson — as could be expected given the trade pickup’s history with Rodgers — as the Jets’ top receiving option. Wilson drew three targets before the Jets’ final drive in their loss to the Rams on Sunday and displayed frustration after the game. This came after Wilson and wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson argued during the team’s Week 15 win over the Jaguars.
Wilson added that a new Jets regime would have “no impact” on his desire to stay or go; that response mirrored what the third-year wideout said about the team keeping or jettisoning Rodgers in 2025. A recent report, however, indicated it would not surprise if Wilson requested a trade soon, and the New York Post’s Brian Costello notes speculation from informed parties points to a trade request coming. With Costello adding this situation appears “headed toward a divorce.”
“I’m gonna worry about these last two games and see what happens, man. I’m not gonna speak on that,” Wilson said (via the New York Post’s Steve Serby) when asked about a potential trade request. “All that’s out of my control. I just gotta play my part, and try to win games for this organization.”
This would be a strange unraveling, as Wilson is about to go three-for-three in 1,000-yard seasons. The Jets have, however, been quick to move on from young starters via trade in the not-so-distant past. The team dealt Sam Darnold in 2021, Jamal Adams in 2020, Leonard Williams in 2019 and Sheldon Richardson in 2017. Joe Douglas was involved in three of those swaps, but the Jets have since canned their GM and are early in the interview process to replace him. That said, the perception of how this franchise is run has taken substantial hits this year. And it is not slowing down.
Following an explosive report from The Athletic regarding Woody Johnson‘s outsized role in personnel, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini confirms the owner’s teenage sons, Jack and Brick Johnson, are “very much involved” in football matters. Woody Johnson has already been accused of listening to his sons’ Madden-based assessments on players — Jerry Jeudy among them — and the two are believed to have made their voices known in the locker room after games as well. The Jets have denied the Johnson sons play any such roles, but these reports will not do well to attract GM and HC candidates.
These reports also could alienate players, though the Jets still have plenty of control with Wilson, who can be kept on his rookie deal through 2026 via the fifth-year option. The team also has option decisions on Sauce Gardner and Jermaine Johnson coming in May. No trade noise has circled the defenders, but this has become attached to Wilson. With Adams’ Big Apple future uncertain, the next Jets football-ops bosses appear to have major issues to navigate at receiver.
Jets need to admit that they aren’t one QB away from competing. They need to overhaul that roster, & collect picks for 2026. Then get their QB1.
As a Jets fan, I’ve seen Wilson look frustrated a bunch of times and never once thought he was wrong. I hope they can keep him and eventually get him a QB and OC that don’t rightfully drive him nuts.
I can think of plenty of WRs who were frustrated but didn’t whine about their situation. How about Larry Fitzgerald? Spent most of his career with crappy QBs too but he sucked it up and put together a Hall of Fame career.
Maybe you see whining when you feel like criticizing a guy and don’t when you don’t. Wilson has more than kept up his end of the bargain.
Pickens needs a contract. Wilson needs a contract. Swap the 2 and sign with new organizations.
Not bad but I think Pickens would thrive in Commanders offense lined up with mcclaurin and a gunslinger like Jayden Daniels as QB
Garett is unhappy and his talent is being wasted. Steelers are a solid fit but he could be a great add for the Broncos as true WR1
Eh Pickens fits NY. Jag0ff, cry baby, whiny, prima donna – him and Rodgers are interchangeable.
I didn’t really think about if it fits, just want Pickens and his lousy attitude out of PGH.
Lmao fair enough
Spot on. As a Steelers fan, watching Pickens take stupid penalties, get caught up in the trash talking, etc. is frustrating as hell. He’s talented, but I wouldn’t be upset if they moved him for Wilson. At least Wilson wants to win. I think Pickens can be distracted if you flashed a laser on the field.
Pickens wants to win too he’s just a hothead and way less wrangled in. But he’s talented. Again i think he’s a great fit for Commanders. They’ve never really had a solid WR2 in years. Not even first round Dotson lasted 3 years there.
Pickens is a bit more than a WR2.
Next to McLaurin he’s a WR2
I truthfully can’t stand another second of Pickens. If he’s around next season I’ll seriously contemplate not watching any games. These kids are so entitles it’s insane. The draft notes on this dude were spot on – otherworldly talent, extremely aggressive, mental distractions are a guaranteed. God forbid he doesn’t get the ball so he gets lazy on his routes and every other receiver on the team is incapable of creating separation or even catching the ball so we’re forced to see Connor Heyward catch another 2 yard pass on 3rd and 18.
You’re a Steelers fan?
Sadly. In the worst way. I don’t wear the blinders most do in PGH and say how it is. This is a mediocre roster, with a lack of weapons, an overpaid defense, a 1960’s thinking OC and HC, and a glaring hole at O-line in which they’ve invested 7 picks in the last 4 years… They haven’t had a solid 1st round choice since Watt, and decided to draft a bum QB and a 2YPC RB in back to back first rounds. This roster has an insane amount of holes. When the team MVP is the kicker it should scream issues.
Dang. At least you guys are playoff confirmed. Unlike my falcons
Eh, I rather be in a rebuild than consistently losing in the 1st round if we’re being honest. At least with a rebuild you can see glimmers of hope. All I see is .500 seasons until Watt retires and a endless circus of meh QBs for cheap.
I rather have an offense with Bijan, Pitts, London, and your O-Line than the high paid deteriorating defense.
Have more faith. If the playoff picture lines up you guys got Texans wild card weekend and stroud has been struggling for past month plus
Eh, I see us meeting Balt and getting whacked. Chances they beat Cincy again is low – especially if Cincy fighting for a playoff spot.
The Texans are probably the only playoff team they can actually beat in the AFC though and if that is the matchup they *should* break Tomlin’s winless playoff streak.
@my – Pickens, as I’m in agreement with you regarding his frustrating manner, is still a solid first round pick. Let’s also remember they traded a first rounder for Fitzpatrick, which was also a solid ‘pick.’ Harris wasn’t a terrible pick, either. More second rounder material, but that’s in hindsight and can’t exactly blame him with the OL he’s had to run behind.
Pickens wasn’t a first round pick lol. Harris was awful in reality. RB before the line? Set them back years.
a prima donna player that is trying to force his way off of a team, sounds like he is in the right spot. Where did Diontae, Antonio Brown, Claypool, Bell leave again in the last few years? Seems every year another player wants traded out of pittsburgh.
No evidence Pickens is forcing his way out of anywhere, I just want him to.
Only way jets become competent is if Woody Johnson mysteriously disappears cause he’s not gonna release control any time soon.
I’d trade Wilson, bring back Rodgers, fix the oline, and look towards 2026 for a QB or take a project like Milroe.
Last season of the game I’d toss Jordan Travis out there see what he has if he’s healthy enough to go. Idk where he is in his recovery process.
@HarrisonButker – unfortunately Travis can’t even take practice reps with the team due to the roster designation he’s under, whether he’s healthy or not
Interesting. I did not know that was a thing.
Hilarious ownership. I feel sorry for the fans lmao
They should restructure Davante, let Rodgers run it back one more year, and trade Garrett Wilson! He’s a diva but also a luxury they don’t need in comparison to massive defensive and OL upgrades. Mostly, they need a great coach. Real leadership in the building. No one could have flourished this year under these dysfunctional circumstances.
And for gods sakes, redesign that helmet to tone down that metallic green. Worst helmet in the league. Butt ugly.
Those were the unis they wore in the 90’s when people called them the lowly Jets. Odd choice to go back to that. I thought what they wore from the Parcells era on were decent.
A number one receiver isn’t a luxury and Wilson isn’t a diva just because he’s ever expressed unhappiness.
You might fetch a mid to late first for him, a la Steph Diggs from Minnesota to Buffalo. He’s a terrific receiver, but they need so much help in so many other places.
Love to see him in NE with May
Love to see him in NE with Maye
Depending on what you give up for him. Definitely not a top 10 pick. Late first.