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Garrett Wilson didn’t have to sign a contract extension. He wasn’t forced to commit further to the Jets and ink that four-year, $130 million deal prior to training camp.
But in doing so, the standout receiver was making it known he wanted to be part of the solution for the star-crossed franchise.
Four losses to start the season hasn’t changed Wilson’s mindset.
“I love it here, man,” he said Thursday, as the winless Jets continued preparations for Sunday’s contest against the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. “These people have bought into me since I was a college kid. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to win at.”
Wilson is off to a terrific start, with 27 catches for 311 yards and three touchdowns. He is looking to notch the fourth straight 1,000-yard season to start his career — no previous Jet ever had three to begin his time in the NFL.
He believes there is light at the end of this dark Jets tunnel, and no, it’s not an oncoming train. He thinks the Jets are close to a breakthrough, that the losing isn’t going to continue.
He sees new coach Aaron Glenn’s vision, even if it hasn’t translated into any wins yet.
“I just have faith in the plan that coach has proposed to us, faith in my teammates,” the 25-year-old Wilson said. “We’re going to turn this thing around, we’re going to get this thing rolling, and when it does, it’s going to feel real good.”
It obviously hasn’t been easy, the start to this season or his Jets career overall. He won big at Ohio State, the Buckeyes going 31-4 in his three seasons, including a national championship game loss in 2020.
In his first three-plus years in the league, the Jets are 19-36.
“I truly believe because of the things that guys have gone through these last few years and what we’re battling to get out of, it will make it that much more beautiful [when we win],” Wilson said. “And I don’t ever lose sight of that or ever lose faith in AG, [general manager Darren Mougey], our staff and everyone here. We know what their plan is.”
The Jets have many question marks for the future and needs that have to be filled. One certainty appears to be their No. 1 wide receiver.
“[I want to be remembered as] someone that took a lot of pride in being part of the change,” Wilson said. “That’s all I really want. When players in the league talk about me, they respect the way I played the game.”
