The New York Jets’ 2023 season appears to have taken a toll on wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
The Jets entered the season fresh off the acquisition of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers with Super Bowl aspirations weighing heavily on a roster laden with young talent such as Wilson. But any hopes of hoisting a Lombardi were dashed after Rodgers tore his right Achilles tendon on the team’s first drive of the season.
To the chagrin of Wilson and others, the Jets’ offense struggled mightily without Rodgers, as they turned to three different quarterbacks in hopes of sparking a unit that ultimately stood in stark contrast to their defense, one of the better units in the league.
New York (7–10) missed the postseason for the 13th consecutive season, and although the Jets ended the season on a high note by defeating the New England Patriots in Week 18, it did nothing to change Wilson’s overall assessment of the campaign.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Wilson said that 2023 was “the worst season of his life,” per SNY on X, formerly Twitter.
"I hear that I had a good year, but it was the worst season of my life. Thank you, but that's the reality of it."
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) January 8, 2024
- Garrett Wilson on not meeting his expectations this year pic.twitter.com/n4LecaDwsI
Wilson entered the year expecting to catch passes from a future Pro Football Hall of Famer and ended up connecting with the likes of Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian instead.
Nevertheless, Garrett Wilson still managed to produce over 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season.
All Wilson, who has two more years—plus a fifth-year team option—left on his contract, can do is hope the Jets fare better next season with a healthy Rodgers.