Budding Relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson Good for Jets' Offense
The relationship has yet to turn two weeks old, but the New York Jets’ QB1 and WR1 seem to be hitting it off.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson are already building chemistry at 1 Jets Drive with the hope of becoming one of the NFL’s most-productive aerial connections in 2023.
“I’m really excited,” said Wilson about what the future holds for the Jets’ offense. “I feel like we’re gonna have a chance to put some points on the board and do something special.”
Despite the Jets’ fourth-place finish, Wilson is coming off a special rookie campaign that resulted in the franchise’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2015. The Ohio State product, who was the No. 10 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, led the Jets in receptions (83), receiving yards (1,103) and touchdown catches (4) as a first-year pro.
Wilson achieved those feats despite Gang Green’s erratic quarterback play. Now, he’ll have a future Hall-of-Famer throwing passes to him.
“I saw him in the weight room my first day. It probably hasn’t sunk in all the way until I caught the first ball from him,” said Wilson.
In only a few days’ time, Rodgers has recognized the ability of his new target.
"Obviously Garrett [Wilson], he's a talented guy," said Rodgers during a May 2 guest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. "I threw him a pass today [Tuesday]. I just kinda turned and was like ‘wow.’"
Having worked together some during OTAs, Rodgers was especially impressed by Wilson’s route-running and his ability out of the break.
“His ability to kind of get in and out of his breaks. There’s another 17 [Davante Adams] I played with for a long time who does it better than anybody. The explosiveness, in and out of breaks, to the 17 here, is pretty similar,” said Rodgers.
The humble Wilson said he was honored by the comparison to a three-time All-Pro First Team selection.
“He's [Adams] been the best in the league for a while now. To even ne mentioned in the same sentence. I'm honored and know that I still got a long way to go,” said the 22-year old Wilson.
As a rookie, Wilson recorded a catch in all 17 games and totaled 78 or more receiving yards in seven of the last 10 contests in 2022.
Although he appears to love every minute with his new quarterback, Wilson expressed disappointment that he wasn’t part of the recent Rodgers-led contingent that attended the New York Knicks’ Eastern Conference Playoffs game.
QB Aaron Rodgers (l) and CB Sauce Gardner (r) taking in a Knicks' playoff game at MSG
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
“I was trying to figure out why I couldn’t get no tickets to the Knicks game yesterday. I was watching the ESPN broadcast and I see him [Allen Lazard] and Sauce, ARod, their group taking up all the seats,” said a smiling Wilson. “I gotta figure out how I can get in with them.”
Rodgers has already attended two Knicks’ postseason games and a Rangers’ Stanley Cup Playoffs affair since officially becoming a Jet.
“I would love to tag along on one of them little trips to the City they’ve been going on,” said Wilson. “We’ll figure it out soon.”
Wilson and Rodgers have the chance to enhance their on-field rapport, too, as OTAs proceed through mid-June.
“The expectation is high with Aaron, and we all know that and that’s what we want,” said Wilson.
Even at 39 years old, Rodgers should provide an instant jolt to the Jets’ offense once the games finally begin. In 2022, the four-time NFL MVP accounted for a 64.6 completion percentage while throwing for 26 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
Over that same time span, Wilson was catching passes from four Jets’ quarterbacks who combined for 14 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions and a 56.98 completion percentage.
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