The New York Jets have had yet another tough season, but this week, the chatter around the team hit a whole new level. What started as some draft talk quickly escalated into a national debate after a fiery rant questioned whether a top quarterback prospect should do everything possible to avoid New York altogether.
That commentary didn’t sit well inside the Jets’ locker room. And one of the team’s cornerstones wasn’t afraid to say so publicly.
Garrett Wilson Fires Back After Smith Calls Jets a “Football Atrocity”
On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith delivered a blistering monologue arguing that Oregon quarterback Dante Moore should return to college rather than risk being drafted by the Jets, who hold the No. 2 overall pick. Smith went to extreme lengths to make his point, saying he would “eat something to provoke food poisoning” before playing for the franchise, calling the Jets “straight garbage” and a place where careers go to “rot away.”
Smith’s criticism extended beyond the roster. He aimed ownership, questioned Woody Johnson’s leadership, and said there was “ain’t nowhere in hell” that Aaron Glenn should still be the head coach after a season in which the Jets went 3–14 and became the first team in NFL history to finish a year without a single interception. Smith framed his comments as concern for Moore’s future, urging him to stay in school rather than enter what he portrayed as a toxic situation.
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson wasn’t having it. Responding on X, Wilson shot back with a straightforward response: “Damn, u gotta be a real sell out n above all a square to be on ESPN nowadays. Used to love that show.” His comment quickly gained traction, resonating with Jets fans who are tired of the negative narrative surrounding the team.
Damn, u gotta be a real sell out n above all a square to be on ESPN nowadays. Used to love that show
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) January 7, 2026
Wilson’s response carried weight. Despite the Jets’ collapse, he led the team in receiving yards this season, even though he hasn’t played since Week 6. He’s also lived through the instability Smith referenced. The Jets went 7–10 in 2023, 5–12 in 2024, and 3–14 this year, cycling quarterbacks and trading away stars like Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner as part of a clear reset.
The Jets are ranked 29th in offense with a 58.7 grade in PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric.
The larger debate centers on Moore, who completed 72.9 percent of his passes for 3,280 yards with 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions during his tenure at Oregon. Smith isn’t alone in suggesting Moore should avoid New York; former ESPN analyst Todd McShay echoed similar concerns, claiming few prospects want to be Jets. However, critics of that idea point to the financial and career risks of passing on a guaranteed top-two pick, especially in a league where injuries can significantly alter a player’s future.
Wilson’s pushback highlights a deeper tension: the divide between outside perception and the mindset of players still committed to changing the organization’s trajectory. The Jets may be broken right now, but voices inside the building aren’t ready to accept the idea that the franchise is beyond saving.
With the draft approaching and Moore’s decision looming, the Jets remain under the microscope. Whether Smith’s warning proves prophetic or Wilson’s defiance becomes a rallying point will depend on what happens next, not on television debates, but on the field.
