One of the New York Jets’ brightest young stars could have his sights set on greener pastures.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, wide receiver Garrett Wilson may be on the verge of requesting a trade out of New York. Speaking on his “Flight Deck” podcast, Cimini said that “people in Garrett Wilson’s circle” believe “he will ask for a trade after the season.”
Cimini emphasized that this was “speculative” on the part of the sources he spoke to, and that “we don’t know that to be a fact.”
Wilson is in the third year of his rookie contract, which includes a fifth-year option for the 2026 season that New York will presumably accept after the 2024 season ends. The 24-year-old wideout has recorded 84 receptions, 933 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns in 14 games this season. He is averaging career-highs in receptions per game (6.0), receiving yards per game (66.6), and touchdowns per game (0.43).
Wilson will be eligible for a contract extension this offseason, along with fellow 2022 Jets first-round picks Sauce Gardner and Jermaine Johnson. It stands to reason that the Ohio State product will demand an extension similar to or greater than the one that 2021 first-round pick Jaylen Waddle signed with the Miami Dolphins last offseason: four years and $84.75 million with $76 million guaranteed. This deal places Waddle sixth among wide receivers in total guarantees and seventh in average annual value.
While we’ve seen star wide receivers force their way to new teams multiple times in recent years, it seems unlikely that Wilson would have much leverage to force a trade. The Jets have Wilson under control for two more seasons, followed by franchise-tag eligibility after that (although it seems unlikely he would not sign an extension before then).
Nonetheless, if Wilson publicly requests a trade, the Jets will have to at least entertain the enticing offers that will come in. And with a new general manager taking those calls, it’s anyone’s guess as to what could happen.
For now, this is all just mere speculation, as Cimini stated. However, the first seeds of a potentially dramatic situation have been planted. Expect Wilson and the Jets to squash these rumors in the coming days or weeks, but we will see how things pan out as the offseason progresses. If New York’s new regime is wise, it will prioritize buttoning things up with Wilson and signing him to a long-term contract as quickly as possible.
