3 reasons Jets fans should be salivating over Garrett Wilson's impending return vs. Titans

One of the most exciting parts of the New York Jets season opener is the fact that Garrett Wilson will be suiting up for a football game for the first time since November 9, 2025. The star wide receiver missed nearly three quarters of last season dealing with a knee injury.

Over the last few years, there haven't been many Jets players who spark excitement from the fanbase like Wilson, and for good reason. He's the team's best offensive player and says and does all the right things on and off the field.

With the Tennessee Titans serving as Wilson's first test in his return from injury, there are several reasons Jets fans should be excited about the chance of their offensive star having a monster return to the football field on Sunday.

3 reasons why New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson could dominate in his first game back

Titans cornerbacks should be food for Garrett Wilson

Wilson is facing a favorable matchup to open the season against the Titans, to say the least. Tennessee's two starting outside cornerbacks aren't exactly lockdown defenders.

Alontae Taylor, the Titans' incumbent starter, was Pro Football Focus's 55th-best cornerback in the league last season. He earned a 63.1 overall grade and allowed a passer rating of 107.5 when targeted in coverage.

Cor'Dale Flott, Tennessee's free-agent signing this past spring, is slightly better, per PFF. He earned a grade of 65.6 and was the league's 45th-best cornerback, allowing a passer rating of 72.8 in coverage.

Wilson should be able to make mince meat of these cornerbacks, and they give him a favorable matchup regardless of who is covering him for the majority of Sunday's season opener.

Garrett Wilson should be familiar with Robert Saleh's defensive scheme

Tennessee's new head coach, Robert Saleh, was Wilson's coach for the first few years of his career. Surely he'll have some idea of how to exploit Saleh's defensive scheme, considering he faced it in practice for nearly two and a half seasons.

"I'm sure he's got some wrinkles in there (Saleh's defense) since he's been here, but one that I've seen and man, they always really sound in what they do," Wilson told reporters earlier this week. "And I know the way he teaches it, he's thorough; he's a thorough man. And I'm excited for the challenge, I'm excited to see him, I'm excited to play against his team, all that, so it'll be cool."

It doesn't necessarily mean that Wilson has the cheat sheet to Tennessee's defense and will be able to beat every defensive look he sees from the Titans' secondary, but it should at least help him out a little bit.

Garrett Wilson is clear favorite target of Geno Smith

Of course, as the Jets' WR1, Wilson is going to be getting the lion's share of targets all year long, and that starts Sunday in Tennessee.

Throughout training camp, The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt tracked how many targets each Jets weapon received in the passing game, and it should come as no surprise that Geno Smith funneled 42 targets Wilson's way. The next closest was Adonai Mitchell, with 27.

As long as Wilson stays healthy, it should remain that way throughout 2026. Considering all of the advantages the former Ohio State star has in his corner heading into Week 1, it should be an incredible return to form for one of the NFL's most talented wide receivers.

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