FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — This time, New York Jets vast receiver Garrett Wilson made his intentions clear. It was a departure from final December, when public frustration fueled hypothesis that he was contemplating a commerce request.
“I am hopeful I am a Jet for all times and that we get this factor rolling and that each one of our greatest days are forward of us,” Wilson stated Wednesday after the Jets’ first open OTA observe.
Wilson’s feedback have been important as a result of he is eligible for a contract extension. Nothing is imminent, however Jets officers have stated they’d wish to lock up their high younger gamers. Wilson, signed by 2026 (his fifth-year choice was not too long ago exercised), stated there have been “a number of discussions, right here and there” between his agent and the staff.
“When the time does come and people conversations are being had,” he added, “I will try to do my half to guarantee that it is simple.”
Wilson posted profession highs final season in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,104) and touchdowns (seven), however his in-game physique language, mixed with cryptic feedback about his future, created the notion that he was disgruntled.
“I perceive that it is perceived a sure means,” he stated. “The fact of it’s — no, I wasn’t comfortable dropping, however I wasn’t sad.”
Two issues contributed to Wilson’s perspective change: The arrival of coach Aaron Glenn, who has infused the group with hope, and the Justin Fields-for-Aaron Rodgers swap at quarterback.
Glenn has made it clear to Wilson that he will likely be a foundational participant. On Wednesday, Glenn stated the target is to “get him the ball as a lot as doable.”
As for the quarterback change, it was clear final season that Wilson and Rodgers did not see eye to eye, resulting in pressure of their relationship. Now Wilson will likely be catching passes from his former Ohio State teammate. He gushed about Fields.
“He trusts me, I belief him,” Wilson stated. “We have a great communication. We communicate to one another properly. We all know precisely what we’re pondering, and that is so key. … We’re simply attempting to get the perfect out of one another. That goes again 5, six years now.
“So, for me, I do know precisely what he can do, and I nonetheless assume the world’s obtained to see it. And that is a good looking factor about this. We have all obtained one thing to show on this staff. We’ve not finished nothing but. And I do know all of us obtained that chip on our shoulder.”
Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract as a free agent, has impressed the Jets with what many describe as a quiet confidence. Glenn stated Fields is “genuine,” including, “He isn’t going to alter for no person, and I would reasonably have that than someone that is faux.”
Glenn additionally stated, “I like that he is not attempting to be — and I will use a [Bill] Parcells [quote] now: He isn’t attempting to be the superstar quarterback. He is simply attempting to be himself.”
He did not point out Rodgers by title, however Glenn’s reference to a “superstar quarterback” actually conjured up ideas of the longer term Corridor of Famer, who was launched by Glenn in a quick and contentious assembly on Feb. 6.
Rodgers’ departure sparked a controversial social-media submit from star defensive deal with Quinnen Williams, who stated on X in February: “One other rebuild yr for me I assume.” He later deleted the submit.
On Wednesday, Williams stated he regretted his response.
“I positively assume it was an immature factor for me to do for the time being,” he stated. “Out of emotion, out of frustration, it was positively immature.”
Glenn, not proud of the submit, mentioned it with Williams on the time. Now that he is had an opportunity to get acquainted with Glenn and the brand new employees, Williams stated he is “tremendous, tremendous excited and tremendous, tremendous assured that we’re entering into the suitable course to win soccer video games and to do the issues that I need to do.”
Williams, one of many longest-tenured gamers on the staff, has skilled six straight dropping seasons since being drafted in 2019. The Jets have gone 14 years with out making the playoffs, the league’s longest energetic drought.
“I would like to alter the entire narrative of the New York Jets dropping streaks, the playoff streaks and various things like that,” Williams stated. “I used to be drafted right here a very long time in the past and I used to be paid to assist change this factor round. I put on that as a badge of honor. I need to guarantee that earlier than I go away this recreation, the New York Jets are going to be on high, and the New York Jets are going to be the soccer staff to observe.”
