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Clock is ticking on the Jets following Garrett Wilson's extension
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Clock is ticking on the Jets following Garrett Wilson's extension

The clock is ticking on the New York Jets.

On Monday, the Jets and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the 2022 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, agreed to a four-year, $130M extension, including $90M guaranteed, to keep the outstanding young wideout in New York through the 2030 season.

The contract is fantastic value for New York.

As Schefter noted, the $32.5M average annual value of his extension ranks fifth among wide receivers. By the time his contract expires, Wilson, who celebrates his 25th birthday on July 22, might not rank in the top 10. 

Last season, the former Ohio State Buckeyes wideout had career-best season, finishing with multiple personal highs, including 101 receptions, 1,104 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

He ranks seventh all-time in receptions during a player's first three seasons (279), per Stathead, and is one of five players in NFL history with at least 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in his first three seasons, joining Odell Beckham Jr., Michael Thomas, Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase.

Wilson's accomplishments are made even more impressive when considering 2021 NFL Draft bust Zach Wilson was his quarterback during his first two seasons.

The wideout has proven he can be a legit No. 1 wide receiver, and New York was wise to keep him on a mutually beneficial deal. 

The big question remaining is whether the Jets have the right quarterback to get the most out of their star receiver.

This offseason, New York cut Aaron Rodgers after one season as its starter and signed Justin Fields, who started six games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, to a two-year, $40M contract.

Fields was Wilson's teammates at Ohio State from 2019-20, but he's been limited as a passer during his NFL career, averaging 155.6 yards per game through the air in 50 games (44 starts) during his first four seasons.

The Jets, owners of the league's longest active playoff drought at 14 seasons, must solve their quarterback conundrum to become a factor in the AFC. Until then, their No. 1 wideout waits.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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