Garrett Wilson is widely regarded as one of the NFL‘s best up-and-coming wide receivers. The New York Jets star is on the verge of recording his third-straight 1,000-yard season, and the 24-year-old still has plenty of untapped potential.
While Wilson is a franchise cornerstone in New York, there have been rumblings that the star wideout might request a trade from the Jets this offseason. With that in mind, let’s examine several landing spots for the star wideout.
Does Garrett Wilson Want To Stay With the Jets Long-Term? ‘I Don’t Know’
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic recently reported that Wilson has “expressed privately that if things didn’t get better, he wouldn’t want to stick around long-term.”
“Internally (and externally), many have wondered when — not if — Wilson will request a trade,” he added.
Rich Cimini of ESPN echoed this sentiment on his podcast.
“I’ve talked to people in Garrett Wilson’s circle… they think he will ask for a trade after the season,” Cimini said while noting that “this is speculation on their part.”
#Jets WR Garrett Wilson asked if he wants to be with the team long-term.
"I don't know," he said. Added he just tries to "be where (his) feet (are)."
Added he loves the Jets, but "can't be worried about all that" pic.twitter.com/5TTdece5IZ
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 19, 2024
On Thursday, Wilson was asked if he wants to stay with the Jets long-term and sign an extension with the team, and his response was somewhat shocking.
“I don’t know, man,” Wilson told reporters. “I just do whatever [and] be where my feet are at, you know?”
While he stated that he loves the Jets because they took a chance on him, he added: “I can’t be worrying about all that. Just go and finish these three games the right way. But I don’t know, man, I can’t be looking into all of that right now.”
This season obviously hasn’t gone as planned for the Jets, who are 4-10 and eliminated from the playoffs. The team is expected to look significantly different next season, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams potentially moving on.
Perhaps Wilson’s days in New York are numbered as well. This season, Wilson has caught 84 passes for 933 yards and six touchdowns. Over the course of his three-year NFL career, he has totaled 262 receptions for 3,078 yards and 13 touchdowns.
4 Potential Landing Spots for Wilson
It remains to be seen if Wilson will request a trade this offseason, but it certainly seems like a possibility. At the end of the day, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Since multiple reporters have now brought up this scenario and Wilson’s name is circulating in the rumor mill, which teams might pursue the 24-year-old wide receiver?
(While the New England Patriots are obviously in the market for a star wide receiver, it’s hard to imagine the Jets trading Wilson to an AFC East rival, so that’s why the Pats aren’t included on this list).
Pittsburgh Steelers
Whenever a star wide receiver hits the market, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to pop up as a potential suitor.
Pittsburgh reportedly expressed interest in Adams, Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian Kirk, among others, but they weren’t able to pull off a blockbuster trade for any of these receivers.
While the Steelers did acquire Mike Williams in a deal with the Jets prior to the trade deadline, he’s 30 years old and on an expiring contract. Also, Williams hasn’t produced much since arriving in Pittsburgh; through six games, he has five catches for 83 yards and one touchdown.
The Steelers will likely be in the market for a wide receiver this offseason, and pairing Wilson with 23-year-old George Pickens could give them a terrific one-two punch that can grow together for years to come.
Las Vegas Raiders
This is a big offseason for the Las Vegas Raiders, who are expected to select a quarterback early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
While finding their quarterback of the future is the top priority this offseason, they also need to bring in an alpha WR1 to support their young QB.
Brock Bowers is a terrific tight end and a quarterback’s best friend, and Jakobi Meyers is a solid complementary receiver. But ideally, the Raiders will land a star wideout who is on the same timeline as their young signal-caller.
After trading Adams to New York, Las Vegas needs to upgrade their receiving corps; aside from Meyers, no other Raiders wide receiver has 500 receiving yards or three receiving touchdowns this season.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders found their quarterback of the future in Jayden Daniels, who looks poised to win this season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Daniels and Terry McLaurin have clearly developed a strong connection, connecting on 68 passes for 969 yards and 11 touchdowns.
However, Washington doesn’t have a reliable WR2 on their roster. Aside from McLaurin, no Commanders wide receiver has topped 500 receiving yards or caught multiple touchdown passes this year. Zach Ertz has essentially become Washington’s No. 2 option, but he’s a 34-year-old tight end, so that isn’t sustainable.
It’s worth noting that McLaurin will turn 30 years old and enter the final year of his contract next season, so targeting Wilson (who is the same age as Daniels) makes a lot of sense.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos find themselves in a very similar situation as the Commanders. Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has exceeded all expectations as a rookie and is Daniels’ biggest competition for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Now that Sean Payton and Co. have their young signal-caller, they need to surround him with weapons so he can realize his full potential.
Courtland Sutton has emerged as Nix’s favorite target, catching 66 passes for 878 yards and six touchdowns. However, just like McLaurin, he is turning 30 years old next season and entering the final year of his contract.
Also, aside from Sutton, the Broncos’ receiving corps leaves a lot to be desired. Sutton is the only Broncos wide receiver who has recorded 400 receiving yards this season. Seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele ranks second on the team in receptions (33) and receiving yards (with just 377), but he’s a 27-year-old rookie. Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin are still young and have potential, but the jury is out on them.
Acquiring a star receiver like Wilson (who is the same age as Nix) is the best way to take Nix’s career and this Broncos offense to the next level.
