Jets' Garrett Wilson responds to perceived snub

NFL eyebrows were raised when it was learned that New York Jets star wide receiver Garrett Wilson is not among the six team captains for the Jets. 

As Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk noted, Wilson was a captain last season. Thus, it makes sense that he was asked on Tuesday if he is "upset" that he wasn’t voted a team captain this year. 

Garrett Wilson not "upset" over team captain decision

"I don’t know if upset is the word," Wilson said, per Paul Esden Jr. of Heavy. "It’s more of like, man, we’ve got a collection of guys that all warrant that label. Yeah, it’s one of those things where [starting quarterback Geno Smith] and [right guard Joe Tippmann], yeah, like it goes without saying for the guys that are in here the value they bring to this team and what they mean to this team as far as getting us ready to play and getting us ready to practice on a day-to-day basis."

Wilson is seen as a cornerstone player for the Jets, and he accepted a four-year, $130M contract extension from the club in the summer of 2025. Of course, the Jets also paid cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner around that same time, but they then traded him to the
Indianapolis Colts last fall. 

As Jets reporter Rich Cimini of ESPN noted in November 2025, Wilson's extension "included a $13.75M signing bonus and rolling guarantees." Cimini also mentioned that "the relatively modest upfront money lowers the cap hit if [the Jets] decide to trade [Wilson], as Gardner found out."

In short, one can't help but wonder if Wilson's future with the Jets is slightly uncertain heading into the fall. A 2022 first-round draft pick, Wilson has yet to be part of a winning season. 

Garrett Wilson "happy" to let others hold captain roles

"I’m happy to have those guys leading the charge, and I’m always going to be there to play my role to the best of my ability, whatever that is. I would say that," Wilson added during his comments. 

Wilson hasn't always been quite so happy during his Jets tenure. If that is once again the case later this year, whispers suggesting he could want to join a Super Bowl contender may grow louder.