The New York Jets have secured their top offensive weapon, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, with a new four-year, $130 million contract extension that includes $90 million in guaranteed money. The deal makes Wilson one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, with an annual average salary of $32.5 million, placing him fifth in the league behind Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and DK Metcalf.
Since being drafted 10th overall in 2022, Wilson has been a consistent force for the Jets. He has played in all 51 games over his first three seasons, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark in each campaign. In 2024, he set career highs with 101 receptions, 1,104 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. His 3,249 total receiving yards are the highest among players from the 2022 draft class and rank 10th in the league during that span.
Wilson’s early success places him in elite company. He is one of only five players in league history to record at least 1,000 receiving yards and over 80 receptions in each of his first three seasons. The others to achieve this feat include Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Odell Beckham Jr., and Michael Thomas.
What makes Wilson’s production even more impressive is the instability he has faced at the quarterback position. Over three seasons, he has caught passes from seven different quarterbacks. Despite this inconsistency, he has remained the Jets’ leading receiver every year since entering the league. He was briefly paired with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but Rodgers’ first season with the team in 2023 ended abruptly with a torn Achilles just four snaps into the opener.
Rodgers returned for the 2024 season and played a full slate of games, but the team struggled, finishing with a disappointing 5-12 record. He completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. After the season, the Jets opted to move in a different direction, parting ways with Rodgers and hiring a new head coach, Aaron Glenn.
Looking ahead to 2025, Wilson will be working with yet another quarterback—his eighth in four seasons. The Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract. Fields, who was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2021, played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. He started six games for Pittsburgh, going 4-2 and completing nearly 66% of his passes for five touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for five more scores. Although he was eventually replaced by Russell Wilson, Fields showed flashes of his dual-threat potential.
With Fields under center, the Jets are hopeful for more consistency at the quarterback position. While Fields has yet to reach All-Pro status, he brings a level of athleticism and upside that the Jets have lacked in recent years. Wilson remains the centerpiece of the team’s offense and will once again serve as the top target in the passing game. In 2024, he led the team in receptions, targets, and yards, and tied for the lead in touchdowns with Davante Adams, who was released by the team earlier this year.
