The New York Jets did precisely what they needed to do when they extended wide receiver Garrett Wilson to a four-year, $130 million deal Monday afternoon.
New York had two stalwart players who were eligible for contract extensions this offseason. Wilson was the first to get the deal. All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner appears to be next.
From Wilson’s breakout contract to Gardner’s potential future one, there are plenty of things Jets fans learned from the latest extension dished out.
It’s time to break those takeaways all down.
Top Takeaways From Garrett Wilson Extension
Few players in Jets history have deserved a lucrative contract extension more than Wilson. The former 10th overall pick and the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year has recorded 279 receptions for 3,249 yards and 14 touchdowns.
These numbers are even more impressive when one accounts for the seven different quarterbacks who have thrown Wilson a pass at the NFL level.
Those aren’t the only things to remember following his lucrative extension, though.
Garrett Wilson’s Commitment to Jets
It wasn’t that long ago that Wilson was so frustrated with the Jets and their starting quarterback that rumors were created that the receiver would ask for a trade during the offseason.
With the arrival of head coach Aaron Glenn, the signing of quarterback Justin Fields, and a lucrative contract extension on the table, Wilson appears more committed to the Jets than he has in recent years.
Remember, Wilson did not need to agree to terms on a contract like this. He could have requested a trade and gotten the same kind of money on a different contending team.
He chose to remain with the Jets.
That commitment will go a long way to establishing the kind of culture that the Jets want to build in 2025 and beyond.
New York’s Unique Change
For years, the Jets seemed reluctant to offer contract extensions to their young stars before they absolutely had to, especially for their offensive players.
Wilson’s extension highlights an important difference between what the Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey regime believes in compared to that of their predecessors. Joe Douglas typically waited until the last minute to give contracts to players in need of extensions. He rarely negotiated ahead of the market.
Mougey has done the opposite. By committing to Wilson long-term, the Jets are showing the rest of the team, and the entire league, that they are focused on building a sustained winner.
The best way to do that is by managing the cap in a way that extends their drafted players before they absolutely need to.
This is the most important takeaway of all. New York’s organizational shift is extremely important for the future of the team. Now, they look to be running like a modern franchise – one that seems willing and able to build the kind of contender the fanbase and Wilson deserve.
Jets Remain Devoted to Justin Fields
New York has done what it has needed to do to surround its starting quarterback in Fields with the kind of talent and scheme that works best for him. Part of that is making sure his favorite targets are well paid.
Wilson’s contract says more about the receiver, but the Jets have invested much more in their quarterback than people realize.
Time will tell if they end up being right or wrong to operate that way.
Sauce Gardner, Come on Down
Wilson’s contract was always going to be more complex to negotiate than that of his All-Pro teammate. Gardner is the first defensive back in league history to be named a first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons.
With Derek Stingley signing a $30 million per-year deal of his own, Gardner’s asking price is only going up.
Wilson’s agreement should mean that a Gardner extension is well on the way. It’s easier to predict where he’ll end up on that payment scale – anything over $30 million will be due to the veteran star.
Attitude Changes Must Follow
Wilson may be thrilled with his new contract, coaching staff, and quarterback, but he must make one significant change in his game.
Wilson has dealt with a difficult hand since he was drafted by the Jets. His attitude, though, has also been an issue in recent years. The Ohio State product has been visibly frustrated with each loss and struggle through the years. His answers in press conferences late in the season had reporters questioning if he would even be a part of the organization during the 2025 offseason.
He has quelled those concerns with this new contract.
Now, though, Wilson has a coach he has bought into, a quarterback he loved playing with in college, and a lucrative contract extension.
The excuses of frustration are over. He cannot pout like he did in the past if he doesn’t get the ball in a game, or sulk after the team loses.
Wilson is being paid to be more than he has been.
