The New York Jets made a huge splash on Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, sending superstar cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and Pro-Bowl defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys.
While Gardner and Williams are off to start new chapters with their respective teams, some star players - like wide receiver Garrett Wilson - remain with the 1-7 Jets.
On Thursday, Wilson spoke with reporters for the first time since these blockbuster trade moves. The 25-year-old wide receiver is sad to see his teammates go, but trusts the vision of the New York front office.
“My emotions, like that side of it, I hate it, I hate it, you know what I’m saying?” Wilson said, via ESPN. “I play football. I play with my brothers. I get to know my brothers. I hate it, but I’m paid to play football. No one cares if I hate it. Go catch the ball. You know what I’m saying? That’s how I see it.”
Wilson and Gardner were selected six spots apart in the 2022 NFL draft. Wilson, the No. 10 overall pick, won Offensive Rookie of the Year while Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick, claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Both Wilson and Gardner signed massive contract extensions with the Jets on back-to-back days in July this past offseason.
While Wilson admits he was “shocked” by the trades, he plans on putting his best foot forward as the Jets attempt to get their 2025 NFL season back on track.
“I get paid to catch passes, block, help my teammates out, make plays, you know what I’m saying?” Wilson continued. “[The front office gets] paid to do that. I’m going to play football and I’m excited, man. I’m excited to go at this thing and chase it. They have a vision. Like I said, I don’t get paid to have a vision. They do and they got one and I have to trust them, man. I do.”
Wilson missed each of the last two games after suffering a knee injury during the Jets’ Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos. Coming off New York’s Week 9 bye, the fourth-year wide receiver plans to suit up for Sunday’s Week 10 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
“Maybe it was good for me to realize that you’re not going to be out there every week,” Wilson said. “[You have to] go about it the right way. Every play is super important. Maybe I was taking it for granted a little bit and I’m back to my old ways. I’m excited to go back out there.”
Sunday’s game will kickoff at 1 p.m. ET.
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