Schefter: Garrett Wilson won’t be traded

Wilson said he loves it in New York. He then immediately added, “Do I love it more than I love winning? Nah, to be completely honest, but I’m hopeful.” It’s hard to blame Wilson. The Jets are 24-51 since drafting Wilson and he has routinely caught passes from some of the league’s worst quarterbacks. The offense has been better under Geno Smith this year, but the team is still struggling to win games. Wilson could likely force his way out of New York if he wanted to, but it sounds like he’s content to go down with the ship again this year.

The Dolphins shut down Wilson, opting to let Omar Cooper Jr. and Mason Taylor beat them through the air. The duo combined for 177 yards and three touchdowns while Wilson was stuck with decoy duties. Wilson was spotted screaming at Geno Smith in the fourth quarter after Smith took a back-breaking sack on third down at the goal line. Wilson downplayed the altercation after the game, saying he was “collaborating” and then noting that he wasn’t even talking to Geno. He was. With several young players taking on larger roles in the Jets’ offense, Wilson’s role as the team’s unquestioned WR1 on the team has taken a hit. Still, he should at least stay in the fantasy WR2 mix for his Week 8 date with the Raiders.

Wilson’s second quietest effort of the season came as he dealt with Christian Gonzalez’s stingy coverage and first-round rookie teammate Omar Cooper Jr. returning from his ankle injury. With Adonai Mitchell (finger) likely — hopefully — soon returning from his marathon absence, Wilson is set to have a lot more target competition in the Jets’ receiver corps, but those extra bodies should also create more space for the Jets’ No. 1. Wilson remains a high-end WR2 heading into next week’s plus matchup with the Dolphins.

The 100-yard effort was Wilson’s second in three weeks. It was no easy feat on a rainy afternoon in Jersey where Geno Smith completed only 17 passes. Wilson’s score was a 32-yarder where he spun out of a tackle for a catch-and-run house call. In addition to the 100-yard efforts, Wilson now has a score in three of his past four appearances. It’s like Wilson’s lost 2025 never happened, which is exactly what the Jets and fantasy managers were hoping for. A weekly fixture in the low-end WR1 ranks, Wilson has a Week 6 date with the Patriots.

No one on the Jets offense got home for fantasy purposes as the Bears held on to the ball for several long drives in the second half. The Jets possessed the ball for just 17 minutes on the day. Wilson’s four targets led the New York offense, as Geno Smith was limited to a mere 15 pass attempts. Wilson continues to dominate air yards and targets in the Jets offense and should remain in all lineups next week against Cleveland.

Wilson took a hard hit late in the fourth quarter and was slow to get up. The Jets turned the ball over on the next play, so we never got to see Wilson return, but it sounds like he would have been back on the field had the game gone to overtime. Wilson ended the day with 10 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. He found the end zone on an incredible circus catch late in the fourth quarter to tie the game up. As expected, Wilson was the focal point of the Jets’ passing attack with Adonai Mitchell sidelined. Even if Mitchell returns next week versus the Bears, Wilson will be moving up the WR2 ranks.

Wilson saw five fewer targets than Adonai Mitchell, but played more snaps and ran more routes. Mitchell simply sees more quick-hitter looks close to the line of scrimmage, while Wilson is used more over the middle of the field. The Packers also frequently sent safety help over to Wilson’s side, but the 26-year-old was still able to make a few big catches when they mattered. He should be in for a bigger day against the Lions next week.

With the Jets in the unusual position of dominating a game from whistle to whistle, new QB Geno Smith dropped back just 24 times. Translation, Wilson coming away with seven targets was actually a pretty good outcome. The Jets’ blocking appeared much improved, but this was not a true test, even if it came on the road. That will come in Week 2 for the Jets’ home opener against the Packers. Wilson will remain a solid WR2 whose high floor will hopefully be accompanied by more ceiling efforts this season.

Reich has reportedly added wrinkles to the offense he deployed as head coach of the Colts and Panthers. At both of those stops his offenses were near the bottom of the league in most basic offensive metrics. Smith, meanwhile, has looked sharp as the team’s starting quarterback throughout training camp and in limited preseason snaps. He’ll look to bounce back from a nightmarish statistical 2025 season in Vegas. Jets players, including Garrett Wilson, told The Athletic that they have enjoyed the “player empowerment” that comes along with Reich’s coaching style and his offensive scheming, which leaves room for improvisation. The Jets offense could be functional as long as Smith, 35, is healthy and upright.

Wilson’s knee injury cost him 10 games last season, but the star receiver is in a good spot this offseason. Wilson is participating in OTAs and also had praise for his quarterback, Geno Smith, who he said throws a “friendly ball.” It’s an encouraging sign for the 25-year-old receiver who posted three-straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career before his 2025 season was derailed. He’s the unquestioned WR1 on the Jets’ depth chart and is surrounded by unproven talent in Adonai Mitchell and rookie Omar Cooper Jr. Wilson will have high-end WR2 upside this season with a chance to crack the top-12 at his position in fantasy in a new-look offense.