When playoff hopes are effectively dashed before Thanksgiving, it’s safe to say that frustration is the least of it for fans. However, that frustration isn’t limited to just the fans. After all, fans can turn off the TV whenever they’d like.
Players, on the other hand, still need to show up to work every day.
With the New York Jets living in misery for over a decade, it’s fair to wonder if some of their best players want out. As the members of the Jets’ excellent 2022 NFL draft class approach the end of their contracts, this concern has intensified.
One player in particular has been clearly frustrated since his rookie year, and his frustrations have only gotten worse every year since. We’re, of course, referring to young wideout Garrett Wilson.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that people in Wilson’s camp believe he will request to be traded this offseason.
While Cimini’s report could be argued as largely speculative, it’s clear Wilson has been frustrated in New York. After being constantly missed by Zach Wilson in his first two seasons, the issue hasn’t improved much with Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball.
Fuel was only added to the fire on Thursday when Garrett Wilson was asked about staying with the Jets long-term. While he said the Jets were the team that believed in him, Wilson did not exactly offer a ringing endorsement that he wants to stay in New York.
Following this interview, many Jets fans began panicking. A large portion of the fanbase seems to think it is inevitable that Wilson will request a trade.
While that may happen, it’s up to the Jets to make the final decision. If they don’t want to budge, they can keep Wilson under contract for most of the decade.
The Jets have the power, but recent history indicates they won’t need it
By exercising Wilson’s fifth-year option this offseason, the Jets will have him under contract until 2026. After that, they have the leverage to use the franchise tag for up to two more seasons through 2028.
The franchise tag pays a player the average salary of the top five contracts at their position. If used in consecutive years, the second year’s salary rises to 120% of the previous year’s.
While the Jets have the power to use the tag if things get to that point, they shouldn’t have to. Wilson has established himself as a high-end wide receiver with the talent to be among the best. You pay players like that.
Recent history indicates the issue is likely overblown. Davante Adams, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Tee Higgins are notable players who have requested a trade in the last few years.
However, only Adams was traded, while Aiyuk and Samuel received contract extensions. Higgins’s less desirable outcome was playing on the franchise tag and likely walking as a free agent.
Jets head coach and general manager candidates failed in a similar situation
This isn’t always true, though (when considering these situations as “largely overblown”).
The Jets recently interviewed Jon Robinson, who served as the Tennessee Titans general manager from 2016-2022. Former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is reportedly also coveted by the Jets.
While they both have their own merits, a concerning blunder was with A.J. Brown in 2022.
Brown was a top young receiver in the NFL and wanted to get paid. However, the Titans refused and traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 18th overall pick.
Fast forward three years: Brown has racked up nearly 4,000 yards and 250 receptions. Meanwhile, the Titans drafted Treylon Burks who has fewer career receptions, yards, and touchdowns than Brown has in 2024 alone.
Maybe they’ve learned from their past mistake; maybe they haven’t.
In the end, this talking point will linger around the Jets until they extend Garrett Wilson. A trade request isn’t the end of the world, but the New York Jets would be better off if they didn’t let it get that far.
In any event, we’re still ways away from it becoming a legitimate concern.
