The Jets want to get the fourth-most-targeted receiver in the NFL more involved in their offense.
It sounds a bit paradoxical, but the Jets are walking the fine line between getting enough touches for a lot of alphas in their underachieving offense and making sure that Garrett Wilson is happy because he could be here long after the Aaron Rodgers-Davante Adams partnership leaves town.
Wilson had just three targets until the final eight minutes of Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Rams, when the Jets called more than twice as many passes (44) as designed runs (19).
“At the end of the day, we have to find ways to get Garrett the ball more often,” interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday. “He’s one of the best players on our team — if not one of the best players in this league, especially at his position. The progression, for a lot of different reasons from a coverage standpoint, took (Rodgers) off Garrett. But, at the same time, we have to find ways to get him the ball, for sure.”
Wilson’s 141 targets are fewer than only the Giants’ Malik Nabers (154), Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb (152) and Bengals’ JaMarr Chase (146).
- CHECK OUT THE LATEST NFL STANDINGS AND JETS STATS
He ranks No. 9 in receptions (90) and No. 12 in receiving yards (987) — an indication that there seems to be an in-route communication disconnect as the targets are not leading to equal levels of production.
Wilson said after the game that he would “love to be involved, love to make an impact on the game,” but it’s out of his control if “people see it differently.”
Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson targets/yards (nine games)
| Game | Adams targets | Adams catches/yards/TDs | Wilson targets | Wilson catches/yards/TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 20 at PIT | 9 | 7-68-1 | 9 | 5-61-0 |
| Oct. 27 vs. NE | 6 | 9-198-2 | 8 | 5-113 |
| Oct. 31 vs. HOU | 11 | 9-109-1 | 10 | 9-90-2 |
| Nov. 10 at ARI | 13 | 5-66-1 | 6 | 5-41-0 |
| Nov. 17 vs. IND | 7 | 6-72-0 | 8 | 4-18-0 |
| Dec. 1 vs. SEA | 12 | 6-31-0 | 10 | 5-41-0 |
| Dec. 8 vs. MIA | 11 | 7-91-1 | 10 | 7-114-0 |
| Dec. 15 at JAX | 12 | 4-54-0 | 6 | 3-56-1 |
| Dec. 22 vs. LAR | 13 | 3-30-0 | 7 | 6-54-0 |
| TOTALS | 94 | 56-719-6 | 74 | 49-588-3 |
The Jets could have control over Wilson’s future through the 2027 season (fourth year of rookie contract, fifth-year option, franchise tag) but he will be eligible for a contract extension for the first time this offseason.
Ulbrich, who likely will not be with the Jets next season, understands Wilson’s frustration.
“If you weren’t frustrated, I think that would bother me to an extent,” Ulbrich said. “I think he’s just one of those ultimate competitors that wants the ball. Not for selfish reasons – just from the standpoint he knows he can help our team win if he does have the ball in his hands.”
