The New-York Jets stole the show at the NFL’s trade deadline, but not for the reasons many expected. Instead of selling off offensive pieces, they dismantled their star-studded defense while holding onto key players like Garrett Wilson. The move signals a clear, if painful, direction for a franchise in flux, all while its best offensive weapon prepares to return to the field.
Will Garrett Wilson Return Against the Cleveland Browns?
There is growing optimism that the 25-year-old receiver will be back in the lineup for the Jets’ offense this week, and they desperately need his services. While nothing is set in stone, the star said himself that he will play in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
Garrett Wilson (knee) says he feels great and he’s good to go for Sunday. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 6, 2025
For Wilson, a former No. 10 overall pick, this will mark his first game action since hyperextending his knee in a loss to the Denver Broncos on Oct. 12. He missed the Jets’ last two games, a stretch where the team went 1-1, and also had the team’s bye week to ensure he is as close to 100% as possible.
Through six games in the 2025-26 campaign, Wilson has caught 36 passes for 395 yards and four touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories by a significant margin. He is on pace for his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, a milestone he has eclipsed in every season with the Jets. That production is remarkable given the team’s lack of stability at quarterback.
The quarterback instability had been a significant storyline for the New York team. The organization signed Justin Fields to serve as its signal-caller this past offseason, but the experiment can only be described as a colossal failure. At one point, Fields was even benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor; however, Taylor sustained an injury, and the Jets were forced to turn back to Fields.
Why Did the Jets Keep Wilson After a Historic Fire Sale?
While the offense remained intact, the defense was torn apart. Cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, two defensive anchors for the Jets, were both traded to new teams on Tuesday. Gardner was sent to the Indianapolis Colts and Williams to the Dallas Cowboys, netting New York a total of five first-round selections over the next two years.
As part of the Gardner deal, the Jets also received a young receiver from the Colts in Adonai Mitchell. The second-round pick from last spring has yet to score his first career touchdown and will now reinforce New York’s pass-catching corps alongside Wilson.
Whether those picks will be used to stabilize the quarterback position remains to be seen, but general manager Darren Mougey now has all the ammunition in the world to rebuild the roster as he sees fit.
If the front office’s moves made anything clear, it’s that Wilson is perceived in the building as a long-term building block. He is the No. 1 go-to receiver for whoever the next quarterback is.