Garrett Wilson is still searching for production that matches his talent.
Even with three straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career, Wilson has yet to post a season-long stat line that feels congruent with his abilities. His career-highs for receiving yards and touchdowns are just 1,104 and 7, respectively.
It goes without saying that Wilson is waiting for a reliable quarterback who can help him push those numbers up. Wilson has yet to play with a league-average starting signal-caller. There is hope that Geno Smith can be that guy.
But it will also be imperative for Wilson to find the right fit, not just with his quarterback, but also with his play-caller.
Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich discussed that challenge while speaking to the media on Wednesday.
“What we talk a lot about is, how do you combine the discipline and detail that we need, and then you got a guy like Garrett Wilson, and others, who just know how to get open. And it’s not always going to look like exactly how you draw it. It doesn’t play out like that all the time; those guys move.
“I like to encourage, ‘Let me see what you’ve got.’ Then let’s talk about it. And I want you to run it the way we want to run it sometimes, but then every now and then, show me something that you like to do.”
Reich’s comments bring back memories of the disconnect that existed between Wilson and Aaron Rodgers during their lone season together in 2024.
Rodgers has an extremely meticulous approach to the game, which was only heightened at age 41 while coming off an Achilles tear. He wanted to get the ball out extremely quickly with precise timing.
However, one of the trademarks of Wilson’s game, for better or worse, is his tendency to improvise on routes. He will alter his pacing or throw in an extra move to try to catch his defender off guard. Because he’s so talented, it often works, creating ample separation. But with a quarterback like Rodgers, who was hell-bent on operating with fixed timing, it caused a lack of chemistry.
Wilson and Rodgers were clearly not on the same page at certain points throughout the year, which could be seen both on and off the field. It’s part of why Rodgers preferred to target his former teammate, Davante Adams, after the Jets acquired him via trade. Adams is one of the best receivers in the league when it comes to precise route timing, which is why he fit so well in Los Angeles with Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay.
It’s an area where Wilson can still stand to improve. However, it can also be said that a different coach and a different quarterback could maximize Wilson’s gifted improvisational skills more than Rodgers could.
Based on Reich’s comments, it seems like the Jets are excited to figure out how to make the most of Wilson’s unique approach to the position, rather than try to force him to fit their offense. At the same time, though, Reich made it clear that there are times when Wilson and the rest of the Jets’ receivers will be expected to stick to the script.
