The New York Jets are making it clear they aren’t afraid of a hard reset. After a 2025 campaign that sputtered out of playoff contention by November, the front office hit the accelerator on a total roster overhaul. They’ve moved veterans and hoarded draft picks, creating a war chest that includes nine selections in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft and a staggering three first-rounders in 2027.
But one name continues to flicker on the trade radar: Garrett Wilson. On paper, moving Wilson makes little sense. He was the cornerstone of the 2025 off-season, signing a massive extension meant to keep him in green and white through his prime. However, as draft boards crystallize, league insiders suggest the phone in Florham Park is ringing more often than expected.
Yahoo NFL insider Charles Robinson noted the shift in tone across the league. While the Jets aren’t shopping their star, other teams are sniffing around. “This one is flying a little under the radar given that the Jets do not appear to have interest in moving off Wilson right now,” Robinson reported. He added that several teams see Wilson as a “Plan B” if the draft doesn’t fall their way at the wideout position.
Evaluating Wilson’s Value in a Transition Year
Wilson is a rare commodity. Despite a 2025 season cut short by a nagging hamstring issue, he remains a three-time 1,000-yard receiver. He wins at the line of scrimmage and turns short slants into house calls. For a team like the Jets, who are expected to start Geno Smith under center in 2026, Wilson is more than just a target—he is a safety net.
The logic for keeping him is simple: Geno Smith needs a WR1. If the Jets plan to draft a franchise quarterback in 2027, they need an established environment for that rookie to succeed. Taking away Wilson leaves a crater in the depth chart that a handful of draft picks might not fill.
| Season | Games Played | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17 | 83 | 1,103 | 4 |
| 2023 | 17 | 95 | 1,042 | 3 |
| 2024 | 17 | 98 | 1,185 | 7 |
| 2025 | 11 | 62 | 815 | 5 |
Why a Deal Remains Unlikely
The Jets already offloaded significant defensive talent over the last twelve months. Trading Wilson after also moving pieces of the secondary would signal a fire sale that fans might not stomach. There is a human element here, too. Walking through the tunnel at MetLife Stadium, you still see “17” jerseys more than any other. He is the heartbeat of a frustrated fanbase.
Sources close to the team suggest these “check-in” calls are standard pre-draft posturing. Teams missing out on the top three receivers in this class will naturally look for proven veterans. But the Jets’ asking price would likely be astronomical—think multiple first-round picks plus a starting-caliber player. Given that Wilson is coming off an injury-shortened year, most teams won’t meet that price tag.
“I’d never say it’s impossible,” Robinson wrote regarding the potential of moving both Sauce Gardner and Wilson. While the current regime values flexibility, they also value winning games in 2026 to keep their jobs.
The air in the Jets’ facility is thick with calculation. They have the picks to build around Wilson, not just replace him. Unless a desperate contender offers a deal that breaks the trade chart, expect Wilson to be Geno Smith’s primary read when the season kicks off this September.
Will the Jets’ front office prioritize long-term draft assets over their only proven offensive star?
