It’s only minicamp but the Jets may have finally unlocked Garrett Wilson

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has done everything possible over the first three years of his NFL career except play with consistent quarterback talent.

He’s had over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, caught passes from nine different quarterbacks, and still found a way to set career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2024.

And yet, for as good as he’s been, it’s always felt like the football world hasn’t seen the best version of Garrett Wilson. That might be about to change. This spring, Wilson has reportedly looked like the best player on the field.

As The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt put it after minicamp, Wilson “was the best player on the field for all the spring practices open to the media.”

The chemistry with Justin Fields is there. The trust from the new coaching staff is there. And for the first time in a while, the Jets are showing real signs that they’re ready to build the offense around their best playmaker.

Garrett Wilson was the best player at NY Jets minicamp

SNY’s Connor Hughes offered one of the most promising evaluations of Wilson’s offseason to date. According to Hughes, Wilson has had a “great summer” and is being used “in much more creative ways” under new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.

No longer boxed into a single position, Wilson is being moved around the formation and clearly prioritized in the offense. As Hughes put it, “He’s clearly a guy they want to get the ball and will find ways to do. Smart.”

That wasn’t always the case last year. Despite recording career highs across the board — 101 catches, 1,104 yards, and seven touchdowns — Wilson often found himself playing second fiddle in the Jets’ offense after the arrival of Davante Adams.

Aaron Rodgers, reunited with his longtime favorite target, quickly turned Adams into the most heavily targeted receiver on the team. While Wilson still put up impressive numbers, there was a noticeable change in the way he was utilized.

Between Rodgers’ preferences and an offensive coaching staff led by Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Downing that failed to maximize his skill set, Wilson was left to do what he’s done his entire NFL career: make the most of a difficult situation.

That situation may finally be changing. Wilson is now reunited with Fields, his former Ohio State quarterback, in what should be the most natural on-field connection of his professional career.

The two never got a chance to finish what they started in college, but if early reports from spring practices are any indication, they’re quickly making up for lost time.

Wilson has already proven he can produce like a top receiver under less-than-ideal conditions. Now, with a more creative scheme, better quarterback fit, and a coaching staff intent on making him the focal point, he might finally be positioned for the kind of season that earns him national recognition.

A Pro Bowl nod. Maybe even All-Pro consideration. He’s been the best player on the field this spring. If that carries into the fall, the rest of the NFL is going to notice.

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