Aaron Rodgers Happy 'Talented' WR1 Has Returned to Jets' Offense
One player can make a noticeable difference, especially when that player is as talented as New York Jets' receiver Garrett Wilson.
Recovered from an ankle inversion, the second-year pass-catcher was back to balling out in Florham Park during Wednesday's joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was a change from last week when Wilson was not available for team reps against the Carolina Panthers at Wofford College.
"The biggest difference between going against Carolina and Tampa was him being on field," said quarterback Aaron Rodgers after practicing with the Bucs.
Wilson made his presence felt from the start on Wednesday against visiting Tampa Bay.
On the Jets' first play of 7-on-7 team competition, the 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year soundly beat his defender down field on a long touchdown. With Gang Green operating from its own 30-yard line, Rodgers took a deep dropback and hit Wilson in stride at the opponent's 35.
Those plays had been missing from Jets' training camp since the 23-year-old Wilson suffered the injury on a July 27 practice rep.
"It was like the longest two weeks of my life," said Wilson of his time as a non-participant. "I tried to have the right approach with it and see the game from a different lens."
Prior to being sidelined, the second-year pro had seemingly developed a chemistry with his new future Hall-of-Fame quarterback. Wilson and Rodgers established a connection during offseason OTAs and carried it over into the summer.
"Some of these plays out here, we’re not going to take him for granted, but it’s also Garrett. So, you almost expected him to make some of these plays," said Rodgers six days into training camp.
Wilson made another play later on Wednesday as his QB was flushed out of the pocket. Giving Rodgers an outlet to avoid a sack on a third-down play from midfield, the smooth-running receiver pulled in a pass at the Bucs' 30.
"I used to have a rule with [All-Pro WR] Davante [Adams] where I’d give Davante a little extra tick because I know if I did that, he’s going to get open, because he is really difficult to cover," said Rodgers. "I have to give that to Garrett too, because sometimes you give him just a little extra tick, where you’re sitting on him, he’s going to be really open. That’s what he’s earned by his performance in camp."
There were multiple noteworthy highlights, but it wasn't a perfect day for the Rodgers-Wilson connection.
"We had a mishap in the two minute today, which is a good learning experience, but we haven’t made the same mistake twice, which is great. He’s so eager to learn and he’s so talented with the football," said Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP.
With the Jets using four different quarterbacks last year, Wilson broke into the league by gaining a team-high 1,103 yards on 83 receptions.
"Just do my job. I feel like we got special group, a great play caller, a great quarterback and all the pieces in place. "So for me, it's just I'll do my job," said Wilson about building upon his rookie year production.
As for the relationship between the young emerging star and the team's 39-year-old field general, it's still somewhat of a work in progress.
"We're still building. Everyday we get better. He makes it easy on me, man," said Wilson.
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