With the NFL trade deadline about a week and a half away, the New York Jets are in that awkward place every struggling team eventually reaches: they have players other teams would love to call about, but moving them comes with real danger.
Garrett Wilson sits right at the center of that conversation.
The Jets’ offense has given Wilson plenty of chances to flash why he’s considered one of the better wide receivers in football. At the same time, his frustration is starting to show, and if that turns into a trade request, New York could decide it’s better to act before the situation gets messier.
That said, giving up on Wilson would be a huge call. He’s the kind of talent a team usually builds around, not ships out.
And even if the Jets were to move him, that wouldn’t magically fix the offense. If anything, it would leave New York even thinner on that side of the ball over the next couple of seasons.
The bigger issue is that the Jets aren’t a particularly talented team overall, and while a few young players have shown encouraging signs, the roster still has plenty of holes.
Craig Carton sees it differently.
“I think the New York Jets should aggressively shop everybody they have that other teams covet, and that includes Garrett Wilson,” Craig Carton said, H/T PFSN.
“I’m trading everybody on this roster,” Carton added. “Look, I love Garrett Wilson.
Three straight years of a thousand yards to start his career. Look, he got paid, which is why he’s not complaining publicly.
And he did say yesterday… that obviously losing sucks, but he loves being here. He’d rather win, though.”
Wilson has made his point clearly enough. He wants to win, and that’s a pretty reasonable stance for a player who has already established himself at a high level.
He deserves a real shot at playoff football, but the Jets aren’t offering that anytime soon. Some of that is on Wilson, most of it isn’t.
In Other News...
Jets Passing Debate Now Centers On One Garrett Wilson Question
Garrett Wilsons frustration with his role in the passing game has become part of the conversation around the Jets offense, and offensive coordinator Frank Reich is not trying to smooth it over. Reich described the receivers desire for more targets as healthy tension while defending a plan that spreads the ball around instead of locking onto one option, even as Wilson has remained the teams most productive pass catcher this season with 37 receptions for 444 yards and two touchdowns.
The latest flashpoint came in the recent game against Miami, where the Jets again tried to balance getting Wilson involved with keeping the rest of the passing game active. Reich pointed to how attention on Wilson can create chances elsewhere, including for Omar Cooper Jr., but the larger issue remains the same for a team that has struggled to win games: finding an offense that keeps its top receiver engaged without making the attack too predictable. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Lose T'Vondre Sweat And Now Face A Tough Timeline
The Jets have lost another piece in the middle of their defense, placing defensive tackle TVondre Sweat on injured reserve and forcing him out for at least the next four games. Sweat had become a steady presence in the rotation, appearing in seven games and contributing 17 combined tackles along with two tackles for loss before the setback.
For a defense built around controlling the line of scrimmage, the timing is less than ideal, and it leaves the Jets with a short-term hole to patch in Aaron Glenns 3-4 front. The club still believes Sweat can be back later this season, but the immediate challenge is finding enough stability inside while he works his way toward a return. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Just Sent A Clear Message In The Will McDonald Debate
Will McDonald IV has become one of the more interesting names on the Jets roster as the season has worn on, and not just because of his play. According to Sports Illustrateds Albert Breer, there has been significant trade interest in the edge rusher, a sign that other teams still see value in a player whose production has not matched the expectation around him this year.
For the Jets, though, the message has been clear. They have not moved him, and with his fifth-year option already exercised, McDonald remains under team control through 2027. Even with the numbers not jumping off the page, New York appears intent on riding out the rest of the season with him in the mix rather than turning a draft pick into a short-term fix. [Read more 🡒]