The New York Jets finished their 2023-24 campaign in a winning fashion, defeating the New England Patriots 17-3. However, despite the win, the season was still a waste. Following the injury to Aaron Rodgers, the team never had a chance.
The lack of success weighed on the players. In his exit interview, wide receiver Garrett Wilson showed how losing is taking a toll on him. What did he say?
Garrett Wilson’s Emotional Postseason Interview
The Jets started the year losing Rodgers on just the fourth play of the season. He suffered a torn Achilles, which sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. In the wake of his injury, once-benched Zach Wilson was thrust into the spotlight again.
However, Wilson continued to struggle, being benched later in the season. He passed for 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian, who played the other games, combined for 1,084 yards, three touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
However, despite poor quarterback play all season, Garrett Wilson still put together a statistically good campaign. He caught 95 passes for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns.
In just two seasons, he has already compiled 178 receptions for 2,145 yards and seven TDs. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022.
MORE: New York Jets Depth Chart
Yet, the season was not good to him. “I hear that I had a good year, but it was the worst season of my life. Thank you, but that’s the reality of it,” said Wilson. “I mean, what happened this season can’t happen again. That’s how I feel about it.”
"I hear that I had a good year, but it was the worst season of my life. Thank you, but that's the reality of it."
– Garrett Wilson on not meeting his expectations this year pic.twitter.com/n4LecaDwsI
— Jets Videos (@snyjets)
The Jets’ defense was still dominant in 2023-24, ranking third in total defense. The unit allowed just 292.3 yards per game and 36 touchdowns all season, according to FOX Sports. However, the offense never got it going, ranking 31st in total offense, only ahead of the Carolina Panthers.
The Jets averaged just 268.6 yards per game and scored only 22 touchdowns. “I watch it on the sideline, and it doesn’t look that hard for the other team,” said Wilson on the Jets’ offensive struggles.
Since being drafted by the Jets, Wilson and the team have gone just 14-20, finishing third and fourth in the AFC East. Coming into 2023, the Jets had high expectations but failed to meet them.
Wilson was taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 10th overall pick. He spent his college career at Ohio State, where he caught 143 passes for 2,213 yards and 23 touchdowns. During his three seasons at Ohio State, the team went 31-4, losing more than one game in a year just once.
The Jets will head into 2024-25 with Rodgers healthy once again. If the team can stay healthy, it is possible they could have their best season in over a decade. However, they will have to endure another offseason first.
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