Garrett Wilson sends warning to Jets after lost season

New York Jets star wide receiver Garrett Wilson seemed to send a clear message to those running the organization when asked Monday if he believes the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers next season can fix all that ailed what became a 7-10 club. 

"What happened this season can’t happen again, is how I feel about it," Wilson explained, as shared by Andy Vasquez of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "I’ve got to stay in my lane. I don’t know exactly how to answer that, to be honest. But it’s got to be better."

Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into September's regular-season opener, and Jets general manager Joe Douglas never acquired an upgrade over Week 1 backup Zach Wilson ahead of the fall trade deadline. What was a 4-3 Jets team ultimately fell to 4-8 largely because of offensive woes repeatedly mentioned by Garrett Wilson throughout the fall. 

According to ESPN stats, the Jets finished the campaign ranked 29th in the NFL with an average of 15.8 points scored per game and 31st with an average of 268.6 offensive yards per contest. Despite those numbers, Jets owner Woody Johnson is expected to retain Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, largely because Rodgers wants to give the franchise at least two full seasons as an active QB1. 

"We’ve got to make adjustments in the game," Garrett Wilson continued on Monday. "We’ve got to do things to counter what we’re getting and be able to put points on the board, because the two years I’ve been here ... honestly, it’s been tough going. And football hasn’t been this hard [for me], as far as offense. And when I watch it, on the sideline, it don’t look that hard for the other team. So we’ve got to figure out something to get it rolling no matter who’s slinging it, man."

Garrett Wilson indicated before Sunday's season finale at the New England Patriots he currently is only committed to the Jets "for four or five years" and through the expiration of his rookie contract that includes a team option for 2026. Per ESPN, he led all Jets players for the campaign with 95 receptions, 168 targets and 1,042 receiving yards. He was second on the team with three touchdown catches.

"I hear that I had a good year? It’s the worst year of my life, dog," Wilson added on Monday. "[Worst] season. So, thank you, but yeah, that’s the reality of it."

It certainly sounds like Wilson could consider forcing his way out next winter if the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year endures a third losing season with the Jets.