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Wealthy Cimini
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — This time, New York Jets extensive receiver Garrett Wilson made his intentions clear. It was a departure from his public frustration in December that fueled hypothesis he was contemplating a commerce request.
“I am hopeful I am a Jet for all times and that we get this factor rolling and that every one of our greatest days are forward of us,” Wilson stated Wednesday after the Jets’ first open OTA apply.
Wilson’s feedback have been vital as a result of he’s eligible for a contract extension. Nothing is imminent, however Jets officers have stated they’d wish to lock up their prime younger gamers. Wilson, who’s signed by way of 2026 (his fifth-year possibility was just lately exercised), stated there have been “a number of discussions, right here and there” between his agent and the crew.
“When the time does come and people conversations are being had,” he added, “I will try to do my half to guarantee that it is simple.”
Wilson posted profession highs final season in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,104) and touchdowns (seven), however his in-game physique language, mixed with cryptic feedback about his future, created the notion he was disgruntled.
“I perceive that it is perceived a sure approach,” he stated. “The fact of it’s — no, I wasn’t joyful shedding, however I wasn’t sad.”
Two issues contributed to Wilson’s angle change: The arrival of coach Aaron Glenn, who has infused the group with hope, and the Justin Fields-for-Aaron Rodgers swap at quarterback.
Glenn has made it clear to Wilson that he can be a foundational participant. On Wednesday, Glenn stated the target is to “get him the ball as a lot as potential.”
As for the quarterback change, it was clear final season that Wilson and Rodgers did not see eye to eye, resulting in stress of their relationship. Now, Wilson can be catching passes from his former Ohio State teammate. He gushed about Fields.
“He trusts me. I belief him. We have a great communication. We converse to one another properly. We all know precisely what we’re considering, and that is so key,” Wilson stated. “We’re simply making an attempt to get the very best out of one another. That goes again 5, six years now.
“So, for me, I do know precisely what he can do, and I nonetheless suppose the world’s bought to see it. And that is a wonderful factor about this. We have all bought one thing to show on this crew. We’ve not achieved nothing but. And I do know all of us bought that chip on our shoulder.”
Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract as a free agent, has impressed the Jets with what many describe as a quiet confidence.
Glenn stated Fields is “genuine”: “He isn’t going to alter for no one, and I might slightly have that than anyone that is faux.”
As Glenn added, “I like that he isn’t making an attempt to be — and I will use a [Bill] Parcells [quote] now: He isn’t making an attempt to be the superstar quarterback. He is simply making an attempt to be himself.”
He did not point out Rodgers by title, however Glenn’s reference to a “superstar quarterback” definitely conjured up ideas of the longer term Corridor of Famer who was launched by Glenn in a short and contentious assembly on Feb. 6.
Rodgers’ departure sparked a controversial social media put up from Jets star defensive sort out Quinnen Williams, who stated on X in February, “One other rebuild 12 months for me I suppose.” Williams later deleted the put up.
On Wednesday, Williams stated he regretted his response.
“I undoubtedly suppose it was an immature factor for me to do in the mean time,” he stated. “Out of emotion, out of frustration, it was undoubtedly immature.”
Glenn, not proud of the put up, mentioned it with Williams on the time. Now that he has had an opportunity to get acquainted with Glenn and the brand new workers, Williams stated he’s “tremendous, tremendous excited and tremendous, tremendous assured that we’re stepping into the proper route to win soccer video games and to do the issues that I need to do.”
Williams, one of many longest-tenured gamers on the crew, has skilled six straight shedding seasons since being drafted by New York with the third choose in 2019. The Jets have gone 14 years with out making the playoffs, the league’s longest lively drought.
“I might like to alter the entire narrative of the New York Jets shedding streaks, the playoff streaks and various things like that,” Williams stated. “I used to be drafted right here a very long time in the past, and I used to be paid to assist change this factor round. I put on that as a badge of honor. I need to guarantee that earlier than I go away this recreation, the New York Jets are going to be on prime and the New York Jets are going to be the soccer crew to look at.”
