Garrett Wilson has his eyes on a milestone that might not be so hard for him to reach again in the near future.
“I want 1,000 yards,” the Jets’ No. 1 receiver said after Friday’s practice. “I want that. Really bad. Period.”
Not all 1,000-yard receiving seasons are created equally.
If Wilson gets to quadruple digits for the second time in as many seasons to start his career — he needs 118 yards over the final three games — he will have done it with four different starting quarterbacks, and it should register as a more of a testament to his ability than if he starts piling up 1,000-yard seasons over the next few years with a healthy Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball.
“I like to be conscious of what’s going on and where I’m at,” Wilson said. “Sometimes when I do those reflections, I have to face the fact of what’s going on and take some of the pressure off that I put on myself. Because the reality of it is this hasn’t been built for me to go out there and do what I think I can do. I have to be the best version of me — and I’m constantly on the chase of that.”
Rodgers revealed earlier this week that he would like to play at least two more seasons with the Jets, which would cover the back half of Wilson’s rookie contract.
So, he would have peace of mind entering the prime of his career instead of playing Guess The Quarterback.
“I know Aaron likes to shoot for the stars and see what happens,” Wilson said. “We don’t count anything out of his reach. The way he goes about his treatment and taking care of his body, stuff like playing until you are 40 doesn’t happen by accident. I’ve seen someone do it in my lifetime, so I wouldn’t put it past Aaron.”
Rodgers and Wilson “built a really cool connection” through OTAs and training camp, head coach Robert Saleh said, and their timing was on display when they connected for a touchdown during the preseason.
Rodgers tore his Achilles on his fourth snap of the regular season but is back in practice.
“Me and Aaron take advantage of every rep we can get together,” Wilson said. “If he’s throwing and I have an opportunity to go catch it, I’m going to make sure I cut whoever is in line — or I might go back a spot in line.”
Come Sunday, however, Wilson will be catching passes from Trevor Siemian, making his second start in the last two seasons.
He already is the seventh quarterback of Wilson’s career.
“I’ve thought about it,” Wilson admitted. “I don’t put too much thought into it. I feel like [thinking of] stuff like that doesn’t help.”
Wilson’s lack of familiarity with Siemian tempers expectations against the NFL’s worst-ranked passing defense — the kind of matchup that “normally” would have Wilson looking to put on a show.
“I have to do my job — if the ball comes my way, make a play. Get open. See where that puts us when the clock hits zeroes,” Wilson said. “It’s something I’m getting a little used to, to be honest. Just being consistent on who I am, holding myself to my standard and whatever is going on around me is what it is.”
Wilson is averaging 64 yards per game, which suggests he will finish with 1,074 while simultaneously eclipsing his reception total (83) from his 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.
What kind of statement does his steady production in the face of inconsistency make?
“Someone could say, ‘He’s serious about the way he goes about his stuff, and he doesn’t let a lot of the outside noise get to him,’ ” Wilson said. “[One quarterback] is not my reality.”