The New York Jets currently have the longest playoff drought in the NFL. Despite not qualifying for the postseason since 2010, star wide receiver Garrett Wilson is setting some lofty expectations for this year’s squad.
When asked about his goals for this season, Wilson gave an emphatic three-word answer to reporters on Tuesday:
“Playoffs. Nothing else.”
Wilson was drafted in the first-round by the Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft. Although he was drafted just four years ago, Wilson is already one of the longest-tenured players on the team and has already seen his fair share of teammates and coaches come and go. The Jets will not be found at the top of any odds boards for Super Bowl contenders this year, but Wilson is confident that this year’s team has what it takes.
“Something’s gonna happen this year, and I’m also a faithful guy, so I believe that. The work’s been put in; we have as good an opportunity as anyone else in this league, and I’m excited. We got a hell of a group here.”
The Jets reunited with quarterback Geno Smith this offseason to instill some veteran leadership, and hopefully some stability at the position. New York had three first-round picks this year and selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the second overall pick. But with the sixteenth pick, they drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon, and at 30, they chose Indiana standout wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Both offensive weapons should get ample opportunity to help Wilson and Smith revive this offense.
Wilson, 26, is still entering the prime of his career and has always had a chip on his shoulder. After being an alpha wide receiver at Ohio State, four losing seasons with the Jets have never sat well with Wilson. Last year, Wilson managed to play in just seven games, missing most of the year with multiple knee injuries.
In year-two under head coach Aaron Glenn, Wilson is determined to will his team to the playoffs in the ultra-competitive AFC. The first thing to do is to change the expected losing culture in the Jets’ locker room. The team hasn’t had a winning season in a decade and finished 3-14 last year. Wilson is hoping that changes this year, starting on Sunday when the Jets travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans and former Jets head coach Robert Saleh in Week 1.
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