Back in December, speculation surrounded the New York Jets’ star wide receiver Garrett Wilson potentially requesting a trade out of New York. However, fast forward to February, and the noise around Wilson’s future seems to sound a bit different.
One NFL insider believes quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ recent departure from the team is a factor in Wilson’s future with the Jets.
Garrett Wilson To Stay With the Jets?
Fans and reporters alike began speculating that Wilson could request a trade because of the receiver’s relationship with Rodgers. Wilson had reportedly been involved in many heated conversations with the QB that eventually boiled over near the end of the season.
It had gotten to a point where Rich Cimini of ESPN pointed out the possibility of Wilson requesting a trade at the end of the season. “I’ve talked to people in Garrett Wilson’s circle… they think he will ask for a trade after the season.”
But now that Rodgers and the Jets have agreed to part ways, Cimini expects Wilson to stay in Jet green. “Rodgers‘ departure greatly increases the chances of Garrett Wilson‘s return,” said Cimini.
“[Aaron] Rodgers’ departure greatly increases the chances of Garrett Wilson’s return,” per Cimini.
Says it became obvious to many that “Rodgers was favoring Adams over Wilson.”
Another important aspect of the Rodgers decision for the #Jets. https://t.co/arIfNmcfYJ
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) February 16, 2025
When looking at the target numbers of both Wilson and receiver Davante Adams from this past season, it becomes clear why Wilson was frustrated with his quarterback. Adams was targeted 112 times, compared to Wilson’s 87 in the 11 games where the duo shared the field.
For a star receiver like Wilson, who has accumulated three straight 1,000-yard seasons since entering the league in 2022, frustration towards another receiver coming in and taking a huge chunk of your workload away is understandable.
Now that Rodgers is gone, Adams’ future with the Jets has become uncertain. Adams joined the Jets to play alongside the quarterback. Even if Adams sticks around with the Jets (which seems unlikely at this point in time), Wilson will almost certainly get his role as WR1 back, which must be a factor in this shift in belief around the league surrounding his future.
Wilson Is a Rising Star
With the elite numbers that Wilson has produced in his three years in the league, it is already clear that he can be a true No. 1 option out wide. Now that Rodgers is gone, Wilson should be the top priority for this Jets offense, especially since the thought of the star receiver requesting a trade has been floating through the air for the past couple of months.
The Jets must know how valuable Wilson is, and if he were to be made available, management’s phones would be ringing off the hooks for a chance at the Ohio State product.
Wilson has proved he is a star who will only get brighter with time and targets, and the Jets can’t afford to displease him by treating him like some depth receiver. The risk of the Jets losing another star player is far too high not to be using his talents properly. But now that Rodgers is gone and reports claim that Wilson is expected to remain in East Rutherford, Jets fans can stop holding their breath knowing their franchise star should be around for the long haul.