Jets not concerned about lack of gaudy numbers so far for Garrett Wilson as opponents focus on him

Published Sep. 26, 2024 5:10 p.m. ET

Associated Press

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Garrett Wilson has yet to have his usual big breakout game for the New York Jets.

And they're not worried.

The star wide receiver hasn't been a non-factor by any stretch. Wilson has 15 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, respectable but hardly gaudy statistics through the first three games. He has been targeted 26 times.

“Hey, shooters shoot,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said Thursday. “Just keep giving him opportunities.”

Wilson set a high standard in his first two NFL seasons while catching 178 passes from six quarterbacks — and none named Aaron Rodgers: Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White, Trevor Siemian, Tim Boyle and Chris Streveler.

With Rodgers healthy after recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon last year, the connection between the two was expected to be a highlight of the offense — especially after it looked impressive during training camp.

After the Jets' win last week against New England, Rodgers talked about how defenses are focused on taking Wilson out of the offensive game plan. A biproduct has been Rodgers spreading the ball around the field, having thrown passes to nine players, including Wilson.

"You've got to try to put him in situations where he can be the No. 1 in the progression, which he is a lot, and then mix up the looks," Rodgers said this week. "So we've got to do a lot of things to give him a chance to get moving and we’d like to get the ball to him early, but it’s just a process.

“He’s got to be patient, we’ve got to be patient. We can’t force it.”

Wilson, the 2022 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, is still making terrific plays when he gets the ball. His first touchdown of the season last week came on a perfectly placed pass from Rodgers that only Wilson could reach — just out of the grasp of Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez — and the receiver twisted his body and tapped his toes in the end zone and inside the pylon.

“G did a great job pushing up and getting some separation,” Hackett said. "It looked as though Aaron might not have been able to see it right away, so just for him to naturally step right, move right, and then put that ball in a tight window where nobody was going to get it besides G. Just even G with his body to be able to catch it and then somehow get into the end zone.

“Just watching that connection and just everything was really cool.”

Rodgers and Wilson will try to establish an even greater rapport Sunday against Denver, but it won't be easy with Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II off to a solid start in shutting down opponents' top receivers.

“Pat’s a phenomenal player, but you know, Garrett is too, so it’s going to be a good matchup with those two guys,” Rodgers said. “A lot of respect for Pat, because he plays both sides, plays in the slot. Not many star coverage corners do that, so, a lot of respect for Pat.”

That said, Surtain and the Broncos know exactly how they're approaching this game.

“They have a very dynamic connection going on right now,” Surtain said of Rodgers and Wilson. "We have to game plan for them and we’re looking forward to competing and being the best defense we can be to eliminate that, for sure.”

The encouraging thing for the Jets is that the offense is producing despite Wilson not having big numbers.

New York is first in the league in third down situations and has scored three touchdowns in each of the first three games to start the season, the fourth time in franchise history it has done that and first since 1989. The Jets have also scored in all eight of their trips inside the red zone, including six touchdowns.

“Garrett’s an elite football player in this league, so we want to get him the ball,” Hackett said. "But if something happens or he’s taken away, the ability for the quarterback to progress and then other people make plays allows us to get another opportunity to potentially target him. But for us, it’s about a system.

“He might be No. 1, he might get it, he might not. He might be No. 2 and he might get it and everybody thought he was No. 1, so it’s just about the flow of the offense. When Aaron is going, I think that’s the most important thing because it gives us a lot of opportunities.”

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