Garrett Wilson has all the tools to be one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers - and not just in flashes. We’re talking full-season dominance, Offensive Player of the Year-level production.
The kind of season Jaxon Smith-Njigba just put together in Seattle. And if the Jets can finally get their act together offensively, there’s no reason Wilson can’t rise to that same level.
The parallels between Wilson and Smith-Njigba go beyond their shared Ohio State roots. Both are about six feet tall, both weigh in under 200 pounds, and both have shown they can produce no matter who’s under center.
But the difference in output? That’s where the paths split - and it’s not because of talent.
Seattle made JSN the focal point of their offense. They committed to getting him open, getting him the ball, and building everything else around that.
That commitment paid off in a big way. The Jets, meanwhile, haven’t yet made that same leap with Wilson.
And if they want to unlock his full potential, it’s time they do.
The Seahawks’ Blueprint
Let’s look at what Seattle did. They made a bold move last offseason, trading away DK Metcalf - a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver - and handing the WR1 mantle to Smith-Njigba.
That’s a franchise betting big on a young star, and it worked. JSN thrived in the spotlight, finishing with 119 catches, 1,793 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
That’s not just a good year - that’s an All-Pro, Offensive Player of the Year kind of campaign. And he backed it up with a strong postseason, adding another 17 catches, 199 yards, and two scores during the Seahawks' Super Bowl run.
Seattle didn’t leave him on an island either. They brought in Cooper Kupp and traded for Rashid Shaheed midseason to round out the receiving corps. But make no mistake - the offense ran through JSN.
Wilson’s Ceiling Is Just As High
Now zoom in on Wilson. The Jets haven’t had a WR room as complete as Seattle’s, but they do have their centerpiece.
Wilson has been the guy since the day he arrived - and he’s delivered. Three straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career, and the only reason he didn’t make it four was a knee injury that cut short his 2025 campaign.
Still, as good as Wilson has been, he hasn’t yet hit the kind of statistical ceiling that JSN reached last year. And that’s not on him. It’s about usage, quarterback play, and offensive structure.
When Wilson had Aaron Rodgers in 2024 - even for just one season - he posted career-highs in receptions (101), yards (1,104), and touchdowns (7). That was with Davante Adams also demanding targets. Imagine what he could do with a full season of competent quarterback play and no other stars taking away looks.
The Quarterback Factor
That’s the first major key: quarterback play. Wilson has had to work with a revolving door of signal-callers, and it’s capped his ceiling.
Rodgers was the best he’s had, and even that was a one-year window. Since then, he’s had to make it work with Justin Fields, who struggled with accuracy and consistency.
But 2026 could bring change. The Jets have options this offseason - and while none may be MVP candidates, they’d still represent an upgrade.
Whether it’s Jacoby Brissett, Derek Carr, Tanner McKee, or Kyler Murray, the bar to clear is simple: get the ball to Wilson on time and in space. That alone could unlock a whole new level of production.
The Role of Play-Calling
The second piece of the puzzle is how the Jets scheme Wilson into the offense. Before his injury last year, Wilson was on pace for 102 catches, 1,119 yards, and 11 touchdowns - and that was with Fields under center and no other receiver on the roster clearing 400 yards. That’s impressive volume, especially considering how little help he had around him.
Now enter Frank Reich, the Jets’ new offensive coordinator. His top priority?
Build an offense that gets Wilson the ball in rhythm, in space, and in high-leverage situations. Look at what Seattle did with JSN - motion, bunch formations, quick hitters, deep crossers - all designed to get their best player the ball early and often.
That’s the kind of approach Reich needs to bring to New York.
The Path Forward
Right now, JSN has the edge. He’s got the accolades, the production, and the postseason resume.
But that doesn’t mean Wilson can’t close the gap - or even surpass him. The talent is there.
The consistency is there. What’s been missing is the infrastructure: a quarterback who can deliver and a system that makes him the centerpiece.
If the Jets finally get those two things right in 2026, we could be talking about Garrett Wilson in the same breath as the league’s very best. Offensive Player of the Year?
It’s not a stretch. It’s a challenge - one the Jets need to meet head-on.