Report expands on 'tension' between Garrett Wilson, Jets before offseason moves

Whispers emerged in December suggesting that New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson could ask for a trade if the club held onto quarterback Aaron Rodgers for another season. 

The new Jets regime that features general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn ultimately replaced Rodgers with Justin Fields, Wilson's teammate at Ohio State.

On Monday, NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY touched upon issues between the Jets and Wilson that may no longer be a problem for anybody involved. 

"There was tension between Wilson and the Jets after 2024," Hughes explained. "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."

The latest rumors about Wilson potentially wanting to be traded popped up after he said during what became the club's 5-12 2024 season that he felt the Jets had "a losing problem" or losing "gene." Gang Green ended each of his first three NFL campaigns under .500, and the fact that Wilson is now eligible to sign a contract extension could give him some power regarding a possible Jets exit. 

However, Wilson now seems to be energized by working with a new coaching staff and with an old friend in Fields. 

"Wilson is willing to commit to the Jets if they’re willing to commit to him," Hughes said about the 24-year-old's future. "Glenn said he’s talked several times with Wilson. He believes, now, he’s in a good place."

The StatMuse website shows that Wilson recorded the NFL's eighth-most regular-season receptions (279) and the 10th-most regular-season receiving yards (3,249) from 2022 through the 2024 season. Over 51 career games, he's notched 14 receiving touchdowns. 

While it's true that elite receivers enter the league via just about every draft class in the modern NFL, locking Wilson down at some point after the upcoming player-selection process wraps up would erase a big question that's hovered over the Jets for some time. Additionally, signing Wilson before Fields plays a meaningful snap of football for the Jets could protect the club if the signal-caller fails to impress with the third team of his career that began when the Chicago Bears made him a first-round draft pick in 2021.