Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson and Dallas Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb established the market for the NFL's top wide receivers last offseason.
Jefferson signed a lucrative four-year, $140 million extension ($35 million per year), while Lamb signed for four year and $136 million ($34 million per year), but one year later, Cincinnati Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase reset that market with his lucrative four-year, $161 million deal ($40.25 million per year).
All three players had one thing in common when they signed their respective deals - they all had at least four years of NFL experience under their belt.
So when the New York Jets signed star wideout Garrett Wilson to a new four-year, $130 million extension on Monday, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the news caught the attention of many because Wilson had accomplished an NFL first.
"ESPN sources: Jets and wide receiver Garrett Wilson reached agreement on a four-year, $130 million contract extension that includes $90 million guaranteed," Schefter wrote.
"It marks the first time in NFL history that a receiver has received an average over $31 million after playing only three seasons. Wilson now will be under contract the next six seasons, through 2030."
Wilson's new deal makes him the fifth-highest paid WR in the NFL on a per-year basis behind Chase, Jefferson, Lamb, and Pittsburgh's DK Metcalf ($33 million per season), and right ahead of Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown ($32 million per year).
Though he's only 24 and played just three years, Wilson already has quite the impressive resume.
The Ohio State alum, who was the No. 10 overall pick in 2022, has hit 1,000 yards receiving with 80 or more catches and 140 or more targets every year. He's also seen his receptions increase from 83 as a rookie to 95 in Year 2 and 101 last season.
Wilson was tied with Jefferson for fourth in targets (154), tied with Lamb for seventh in the catches, and ranked 14th in receiving yards (1,104) last season - a year in which both his head coach and general manager were fired midseason.
Following his decorated college career with the Buckeyes, Wilson won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 after logging 83 receptions on 147 targets for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns.
What makes Wilson's rookie numbers even more impressive is that he did it while catching passes from four different quarterbacks - Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco, and Chris Streveler - in a year when the Jets ranked 25th in total offense.
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