Garrett Wilson was not only the New York Jets’ best receiver in 2024, but in just three seasons in the NFL, he’s proven to be one of the best playmakers in the entire league. A player of such caliber, especially at 24 years old, would be untouchable in most cases.
However, the Jets’ 2024 season was anything but ordinary, and for the moment, they’re in limbo as a franchise since the release of Aaron Rodgers leaves them without a quarterback.
With the team at a crossroads, NFL analyst Aaron Schatz believes they could take a drastic approach, trading Wilson to jump start a full-scale rebuild.
Jets To Trade Garrett Wilson?
If the Jets decided to make their star receiver available for trade, there is no doubt that almost every team in the league would pick up the phone and dial newly hired general manager, Darren Mougey.
Wilson’s trade value is at an all-time high after his spectacular 2024 season. If Wilson is coming off a career year, why would the Jets even consider moving him?
“Wilson was clearly unhappy with his usage by the end of the season. He should have shined with better quarterback play from veteran Aaron Rodgers, and he did. In fact, Wilson set personal records in receptions (101), yards (1,104) and touchdowns (seven). But there was definitely a feeling that Wilson could have done more if there wasn’t so much attention being paid to Rodgers’ old pals Davante Adams and Allen Lazard.” explains Schatz.
It was reported earlier in the year that Wilson was upset with his usage and reportedly involved in multiple heated arguments with Rodgers throughout the season. But now that Rodgers is gone, it was reported that Wilson’s chances of staying in New York had drastically improved. However, Schatz believes the Jets will trade their young star anyway.
“New York is likely going to cut both Adams and Lazard, which makes it even harder to trade Wilson because there won’t be anything left in the wide receiver room. But trading Wilson would also mean a fresh start with new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Wilson is eligible for a big contract extension, probably in the $30 million per year range. The Jets can let another team pay that while they undergo a bit of a rebuild, dealing Wilson for as much draft capital as possible.” Schatz further explained.
Unless the Jets do the unexpected, both Davante Adams and Allen Lazard will be cut this offseason, making Wilson the clear-cut No. 1 option. The only issue is, who will be throwing him the ball?
With another poor season for the team more than likely on the horizon, it could make sense for the Jets to cash in on Wilson’s trade value. Although the Jets would be losing an incredible skill-position talent, trading Wilson would certainly give the team an infusion of young talent via the boatload of draft picks he’d fetch.
For context, in 2022, star receivers A.J Brown and Tyreek Hill were both traded from their respective teams for valuable draft capital. The Eagles acquired Brown for the 18th and 101st picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, the Dolphins sent the Chiefs five draft picks for Hill, including first- and second-round selections.
Wilson would most likely generate a similar return.
Why Trading Wilson Makes Sense
The Jets are coming off arguably one of the more disappointing seasons in recent memory.
Many projected them to win the division, and despite the substantial preseason hype and the fact they managed to to bring in Adams from the Raiders, New York finished with a five-win season that led to a cleaning house in the front office and on the field.
The Jets also had a mediocre score of 72.7 (C-) in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, ranking them No. 19 in the NFL. As we continue to watch the 2025 offseason unfold, the Jets have two big questions to answer. Who will play QB in the upcoming season, and should Wilson be traded rather than paid the big bucks he’s going to command?
If the Jets were to trade Wilson, a massive rebuild would certainly be underway, and with the seventh pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a stockpile of picks that they could receive around the high draft selection in 2025 will give the Jets a strong plan to competitiveness in the near future.
Schatz believes the Jets’ perfect long-term solution could be a fresh start from the failed Rodgers era. Giving new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and his staff a new offensive depth chart to work and grow with could be incredibly beneficial.
If Schatz is right, the Jets may be willing to sacrifice a young superstar for the sake of a fresh start. But is moving on from Wilson the right call, or will it be the latest in a string of missteps for a franchise desperate to turn things around?
