New York Jets Extend Young Phenom at Receiver

The New York Jets front office has handed down their first extension of more than $100 million. 24-year-old star wide receiver Garrett Wilson has put pen to paper on a four-year $130 million contract that will keep him under contract in the Big Apple through 2030. Wilson has been a key piece of the Jets’ franchise since he entered the league in 2022. Through his three years with Gang Green, Wilson has put up three straight 1,000+ yard receiving seasons with incredibly subpar quarterback play. 

Wilson has caught passes from seven different quarterbacks in his time in New York, all of whom he has had varying amounts of chemistry with. Despite this instability, Wilson has continued to produce week in and week out. In addition to this, in 2024, Davante Adams also quickly turned into Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target after being acquired in a trade, relegating Wilson to a number two role. Now back with the quarterback with whom he had so much success in college, Wilson is set to have one of his best years yet. 

This is not the first extension that the new Jets front office has handed down, as they also extended star linebacker Jamien Sherwood in March. It is, however, the largest extension they have handed out to this point in franchise history. Wilson’s new price point puts him at the fifth-highest paid receiver in the NFL, a spot that some fans have criticized. Wilson has been good but has not yet produced as a top-five receiver. The Jets are betting that he continues to improve this season and beyond. Fans should keep in mind, however, that the wide receiver market has been steadily increasing every year, and with players like Zay Flowers, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, and Jordan Addison set to be extended sometime in the next year, Wilson will not stay at the number five spot for very long. The front office was smart in being proactive and getting this deal done as soon as they did, because the price tag was only going to continue to go up.

The Garrett Wilson extension is not just beneficial for the Jets because they locked down one of their stars for the near future. This deal also sends a message: play well and you will be rewarded. The Jets have had trouble in the past keeping around homegrown talent. With this contact, they not only get to keep one of their best young players, but they have also set a new precedent in the process.