WR Garrett Wilson Wants To Stay With Jets

“Yeah, I want to be,” Wilson said of his hopes to remain a Jet (via The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt). “I want to win games. That’s the one thing we’ve been missing on here. I love it here. Do I love it more than I love winning? Nah, to be completely honest, but I’m hopeful.

“I’ve never been the best, like, optimistic guy, but … I’ve been optimistic for three, four, five years now, and that’s why (the losses) each week hurt a little more.”

Wilson has been trapped on bad Jets teams throughout his career. The 2022 first-round pick has also, save for the 2024 Aaron Rodgers season (which may not have gone over too well with the receiver), enjoyed little help at quarterback. That said, Wilson signed a four-year, $130MM extension in July 2025. Sauce Gardner did the same and was traded at last year’s deadline. The Jets dealt Quinnen Williams later that day, giving them three first-round picks in the 2027 draft.

Although next year’s quarterback class looks less appealing than it did entering the season, the Jets will have a chance to add impact players with those selections. As of now, the Jets are projected to hold the Nos. 7, 10 and 12 picks next year. It is obviously way too early on that front, but the Colts just traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner after firing GM Chris Ballard. The Indianapolis pick will probably land in the top 10, and New York’s own selection is trending in that direction. Dallas is 3-4, though an NFC East title will be within reach for the team.

Rather than using Wilson as ammo to acquire more future pieces, the Jets appear likely to identify a quarterback and other non-QB pillars to play with the Ohio State alum. Wilson missed 10 games last season, being shut down because of a knee sprain (as it became clear the Jets would secure a high draft choice), but is healthy this season. Wilson has 37 receptions for 444 yards and three touchdowns this year — he finished with 395 yards in seven games last season — with Geno Smith representing an improvement from the QB situation the Jets gave their top receiver in 2025.

The Jets suddenly have a promising Wilson sidekick as well, having seen first-rounder Omar Cooper Jr. impress since coming off IR in Week 6. New York has struggled throughout Wilson’s career — other than the Davante Adams rental stretch — to complement him effectively, but Cooper presents an intriguing young option. Adonai Mitchell’s rookie contract also runs through 2027. But the Jets, as it stands now at least, look to be planning to go with Cooper headlining their pass-catching crop rather than making a trade to bump Cooper to that spot early in his career.

While Wilson appears likely to stay, cornerback Nahshon Wright is not happy with his Jets status. The free agent cornerback signing told ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini he is frustrated and has informed Jets brass about his dissatisfaction.

The Jets gave Wright a one-year, $3.5MM deal after his breakout Bears season but have used him sparingly. Wright played in Week 7 but has only suited up for three games, being a healthy scratch at points. After a training camp injury, Wright saw rookie Azareye’h Thomas earn the starting job opposite Brandon Stephens.

“I’m open to anything at this point,” Wright said. “I just want to go where I can play, whether it’s here or somewhere else. I just want to contribute. I know what I can do and I think I put that on display [last season]. So, yeah, it’s definitely frustrating.”

Wright, 28, intercepted five passes with the Bears last season. The former Cowboys and Vikings backup solidified himself as a Bears starter, but his out-of-nowhere emergence caused hesitancy from teams during this year’s free agency period. His Jets “prove it” deal is not off to a good start.