'Pure Football!' Wilson Adapting to Jets' Rodgers

Football is a cruel sport, and its punishments aren’t limited to those without the talent to overcome obstacles.

The New York Jets drafted receiver Garrett Wilson to be a cornerstone of the organization out wide, creating big plays and putting up gaudy numbers with seemingly game-breaking ease. Then they saddled him with one of the few quarterbacks capable of delaying his ascension to superstardom.

In 2023, the Jets addressed the issue. They traded for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers to take New York to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade – only for the season to end four plays after kickoff.

Now, Rodgers is back, and Wilson is finally getting the opportunity to work with him for an entire offseason and enjoy the fruits of that labor.

On Thursday, he spoke via SNY about how he’s had to change his game for a cerebral passer like Rodgers.

“Yeah, I definitely had to change style-wise, but I would say it’s in a way that’s more natural to the way I play – reacting, believe what you see. He’s been around a lot of different receivers, a lot of different guys and had to figure out a way to get them the ball, and it’s valuable.”

Rodgers, both in and out of structure, has the capability of making plays Zach Wilson couldn’t, even as his physical tools wane. By arming himself pre-snap, making the necessary adjustments, and being in-sync with his receivers as the defense changes its picture, the entire offense is viable to produce.

Subsequently, excitement is growing for Wilson. After back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, the touchdowns feel like an inevitability, even after scoring just seven times in two years.

“When you got him in front of you and all of a sudden you’re like this dude can throw anything, throw it anywhere,” Wilson said. “For me it feels like pure football. I’ve said this one time before it feels like a kid again. I can kind of believe what I see … It’s always been a thinking game when you play receiver, and there’s adjustments within plays, within routes. And based on the quarterback you can either do ‘em or you can’t.

“But with Aaron, everything, you can do it. That’s how football should be played when you can do it.”

After an offseason’s worth of upgrades and more time for Rodgers and his targets to gel, there’s more excitement than ever before at Jets camp.

Related: 'He Loves Competing!' Jets Coach Praises Wilson's Mentality

The plan’s not foolproof. Rodgers is on the wrong side of 40 and multiple years removed from elite quarterbacking. The coaching will remain a question mark. Edge rusher Haason Reddick remains in negotiation purgatory.

But with Rodgers and Wilson, the hype is warranted , and the excitement isn’t limited to the fans.

“It’s cool. It’s really cool and I’m excited to be a part of it.”