The Jets chose Garrett Wilson as the 10th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, following Sauce Gardner, who was picked right before him. Both players signed big contract extensions in July, reflecting their key roles in the franchise’s future.
Together, they became stars, each earning Rookie of the Year honors in their positions. They trained hard and spent a lot of time together in the locker room.
It’s hard to believe neither thought this chapter could close until they reached their mid-twenties.
“I was pretty shocked,” Wilson remarked about the team’s recent moves, which included trading Quinnen Williams to Dallas. “It was a reminder of our business… I’m still getting used to all this. Honestly, I barely thought I’d be here without Sauce until recently. It’s going to be an adjustment for me, for sure.” He mentioned their past experiences together during practices.
“On an emotional level, I hate it. I play football for my brothers and love being around them. But at the end of the day, I’m paid to play, and nobody really cares if I dislike it. I just have to catch the ball and keep working hard,” he added.
Now, Wilson is a critical part of the Jets’ team as he gets ready to play against the Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
He participated in practice for a couple of days but missed two games due to a hyperextended knee he suffered against the Broncos in London on October 12.
“It wasn’t easy,” Wilson said after Thursday’s practice. “Honestly, seeing it from a different angle was kind of enlightening. I took that time to rest my knee, and I feel great now. I can’t wait to get back on the field.”
“Perhaps this injury was a good thing for me. I’ve never been sidelined before, and maybe it showed me not to take my ability to play for granted. I’m ready to get back to how I used to be.”
Even though it seemed the Jets were dismantling their top players, Wilson was viewed as untouchable. Cleveland expressed interest in him, but he is crucial for a future that might bring in a new franchise quarterback next season.
Despite the trades involving Gardner and Williams, Wilson trusted that he would remain with the team that drafted him.
“If I wake up and my name isn’t in the news, then that’s how it is. If it is, we’ll deal with it together. I wasn’t focused on anything else but my knee and getting back to practicing.” He acknowledged that in football, hard work is needed because anyone can be replaced.
Wilson has always been involved in the team’s comeback strategy, and he isn’t questioning the decision to continue down that path.
“I have to move forward and handle my responsibilities,” he noted. “I need to do my job, catch passes, block, support my teammates, and make plays. They have their vision, and I trust them to execute it.”
