On Monday, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson received a well-deserved payday. I can’t think of many players who embody loyalty and dedication more within the Jets organization, so keeping the fourth-year wideout in Florham Park was clearly a priority for new GM Darren Mougey.
After eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, the Ohio State product just edged out A.J. Brown to become the league’s fifth-highest-paid receiver in AAV (behind only Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and DK Metcalf).
Selected No. 10 in the 2022 NFL Draft, Wilson joined Sauce Gardner in receiving a lucrative payday to stay home. With Gang Green picking up his fifth-year option, his new deal won’t begin until 2026, and he’ll remain with the Jets for the remainder of the decade — and potentially his career.
Despite being paid like one of the NFL’s best, not everyone around the league remains unconvinced. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler referred to Wilson as “one of the most polarizing figures in the top 10 WRs” after over 70 league executives, scouts, and coaches were surveyed and ranked him the 10th-best receiver in football.
Not only did he receive the final spot in the top 10, but he also beat out players such as Puka Nacua, Terry McLaurin, former Jet Davante Adams, and Brian Thomas Jr. to do so.
Garrett Wilson garnering mixed reviews from NFL personnel
“Some consider him ‘the best separator in the league,” Fowler tweeted. “Others say he’s a freelancer who lacks detail, resulting in a lack of chemistry with Aaron Rodgers.” One AFC scout went so far as to say Wilson “does his own thing on the field.”
Fowler’s assessment might be a bit misplaced for a player who has immediately produced like the former Offensive Rookie of the Year has, especially given the way Rodgers handled his exit from New York.
He hauled in 101 catches for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. He’s had to catch passes from Tim Boyle, Chris Streveler, Mike White, and Trevor Siemian.
It's been a revolving door at quarterback for the Jets ever since Wilson was drafted (and, really, before that as well), and now he’s reunited with his former college quarterback Justin Fields.
What stands to benefit the Chicago native is similar to what helped the aforementioned McLaurin in 2024. Under the best QB play he’d ever had with Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, McLaurin recorded his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season as well as a career-high 13 touchdowns.
With stability in sight and a shiny new extension now in hand, Wilson may soon silence any lingering doubts with his elite traits.
For more Jets news and analysis: