The New York Jets hired head coach Aaron Glenn with the promise of changing a losing culture and putting an end to the longest playoff drought in American sports. That was first facilitated by the release of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but has left several players on the bubble. Respected veteran C.J. Mosley was a cap casualty, and Jamien Sherwood will hold down his spot for the foreseeable future. Corner D.J. Reed all but elected free agency before the regular season ended, and both starting tackles have moved on. But what about its young stars? Receiver Garrett Wilson and corner Sauce Gardner are without extensions, immense talents who have not yet tasted winning in East Rutherford.
Wilson, at times, seemed like the next victim of New York’s incompetency, scorned by poor quarterback play. With his long-term status somewhat in doubt, Jets fans are saying the same thing about perceived “tension” regarding the star receiver.
SNY’s Connor Hughes gave an update on the situation during the NFL Owners meetings. “There was tension between Wilson and the Jets after 2024,” Hughes said. “Understandably so. He clashed with some coaches (the last staff). He and Aaron Rodgers never saw eye-to-eye. Wilson is among the most passionate players within that locker room. It’s not about money with him. It’s about winning. The incessant losing engulfing this franchise like a plague since his arrival took its toll. “He never officially requested a trade, but many externally, and some internally, felt it was inevitable.”
Simply put, Wilson will be an important piece of New York’s future unless extension negotiations go downhill. Perhaps another year of below-average quarterbacking would exacerbate that by stoking the fires that losing created. Instead of Zach Wilson or Rodgers, the Jets will be turning to Justin Fields in 2025. It might be a mere coincidence that he was Wilson’s quarterback at Ohio State, but it certainly doesn’t hurt, either. With a new passer, coaching staff, and front office, New York has hit the reset button. Whether that’s enough to keep Wilson in East Rutherford, and if he proves to be a part of that vision, is yet to be seen.