Garrett Wilson Prioritizes Jets Despite Offensive Frustration

WHO:

NYJets.com - Garrett Wilson said the Jets’ wide receivers have all been productive when called upon and expressed confidence they could show their value again when given opportunities.

ESPN - Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich said he hears about Garrett Wilson’s frustration from head coach Aaron Glenn and indirectly from Wilson.

NYJets.com - Garrett Wilson is a Jets wide receiver; the article describes his start as arguably the best of his Jets career.

NYJets.com - Frank Reich coordinates the Jets offense, and Geno Smith is the quarterback.

NYJets.com - Smith named Wilson, Omar Cooper Jr. and Mason Taylor as players who had strong performances.

NYJets.com - Head coach Aaron Glenn said Adonai Mitchell’s availability for the Dolphins game could depend on “pain tolerance.”

Heavy NFL - The article identifies Wilson as the Jets’ best offensive player and says the team appears to have a problem using him consistently.

WHAT:

ESPN - Wilson signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension last year.

ESPN - Wilson was visibly upset and grumbling aloud while walking to the locker room after the loss to New England.

ESPN - Wilson was ninth in receptions, 14th in receiving yards and 15th in targets in the league.

ESPN - Wilson was targeted only twice through three quarters against New England and finished with four catches for 44 yards.

ESPN - The Jets ranked 25th in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game.

ESPN - Reich said his goal was to get Wilson involved “as early and as often as we can,” and said, “Can we do it more? Sure.”

ESPN - Reich said Wilson’s presence probably created opportunities for rookie Omar Cooper Jr., who had six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown against New England.

ESPN - Running back Breece Hall returned to limited practice after missing three games with a quadriceps injury.

NY Post - Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich acknowledged that Garrett Wilson needs to get the ball “more” as the team contends with offensive struggles.

NYJets.com - Through the first six games, Wilson had 35 receptions on 48 targets, a 72.9% catch rate, and 418 receiving yards. His receptions led the AFC, and his catch rate ranked sixth among NFL wide receivers.

NYJets.com - Wilson was on pace for 99 receptions and 1,184 yards; he had 101 receptions in 2024.

NYJets.com - Wilson’s unofficial passer rating on passes thrown to him was 120.0, compared with 101.4 after the first six games of the prior four seasons.

NYJets.com - Since 1970, only Al Toon in 1986 and Wilson in 2024 had also recorded 35 receptions in the Jets’ first six games of a season.

NYJets.com - Smith’s passer rating was 101.8. He said, “We always want to get Garrett the ball,” while noting that “There’s only one football out there.”

NYJets.com - The Jets lost 26–19 to New England and needed a win for their third victory of the season and first AFC East win.

Heavy NFL - The article says Wilson’s usage appeared to vary from game to game, alleging the Jets used him to his full potential only every other week.

WHERE:

NYJets.com - The Jets were preparing to host the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.

NYJets.com - Wilson called the upcoming game a home division matchup and said the team needed to “protect our turf.”

WHEN:

NYJets.com - Wilson’s statistics covered the season’s first six games; the article refers to the Dolphins matchup as Week 7.

NYJets.com - Mitchell suffered a finger injury in practice Week 3, missed four games, and returned to limited practice Wednesday.

WHY:

ESPN - Reich said Wilson gets frustrated when the Jets lose and he is not a major part of the offense.

ESPN - Reich said he is comfortable with Wilson receiving fewer targets when other players are producing.

NYJets.com - Wilson said he was not trying to persuade the offense to target him more, adding, “They’re doing everything in their power to get the looks we need to get for me.”

NYJets.com - Wilson said the Jets needed a win after their loss to New England “to get that taste out of our mouth.”

HOW:

Heavy NFL - The article characterized Wilson as blunt about his frustration with the Jets offense, but its available text gives no specific quote or additional details.

NYJets.com - Wilson described his approach as getting his feet wet early and then building momentum: “For me, it’s just kind of getting my feet wet early. And then let’s ride.”

NYJets.com - Mitchell practiced on a limited basis; Glenn said the team would assess how the week went before deciding on his availability.

The Jets are trying to get Garrett Wilson more involved after a frustrating loss to New England, though offensive coordinator Frank Reich says Wilson’s presence can open opportunities for others. Wilson was targeted just twice through three quarters and finished with four catches for 44 yards in the 26-to-19 defeat. Reich said he wants to involve Wilson early and often, adding that the team could do more. Wilson has 35 catches for 418 yards through six games, among the league’s top marks, but he said he is not pushing the offense to target him more. Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. had six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown against New England. Wilson said the Jets’ receivers have been productive when called upon and can prove themselves again. The Jets, averaging 18.7 points per game, are preparing to host Miami.