Jets’ Garrett Wilson looking to reach even higher level in Year 3

Garrett Wilson’s statistics have been impressive in his first two seasons in the NFL.

The Jets wide receiver has gone over 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two seasons.

He has 178 receptions for 2,145 yards and seven touchdowns despite playing with seven different quarterbacks in those two years.

But for Wilson, Year 3 is only about one statistic, after going 7-10 in both his previous seasons.

“Winning games. Getting into the playoffs,” Wilson said when asked Wednesday what the next level of his game is. “I’m confident if we do that, everything will take care of itself. I’ve always lived by that, just focus on winning. The other stuff will shine through. You’ve got to win somehow. We’ve got to score points, and I’ll have something to do with it. We all will. I’m excited.”

The Jets entered last season with high hopes after trading for Aaron Rodgers only to see them dashed four plays into the season.

Wilson said expectations are high again, and he believes the Jets can be a winner … if they keep their key players healthy this time.

“I’m confident, just like I’d say I would be any year, but this year if we find a way to stay healthy and play good ball on Sundays when it matters, we’ll be all right,” Wilson said.

The chemistry between Wilson and Rodgers was on display Wednesday during OTAs.

Wilson made a diving catch across the middle on a Rodgers pass.

Wilson said a year into their relationship as teammates, things are much more comfortable now between him and his quarterback.

“We’re able to have some conversations that we wouldn’t have had initially at this time last year,” Wilson said. “Those tougher conversations are the ones where we might disagree, where we do agree, where he’s got his two cents on it, which is always the best two cents I’ve heard. Me being who I am, I’m going to throw my two cents in there. It’s been awesome, man. He’s a resource for me. He’s a person I can always bounce my thoughts off of.

“I like football. I like to talk the game. Come to find out he’s the exact same. We get along well. We’re going to keep building that relationship.”

Wilson, 23, has become one of the focal points of the offense, along with fellow 2022 draft pick Breece Hall.

Though the Jets have not been able to become a winner, Wilson looks like a key piece of the foundation for the future of the team.

Coach Robert Saleh likes to say things click for players in their third season in the NFL.

Things have already been clicking for Wilson, but Saleh said he can get even better in his third year.

“It’s just to continue the maturation process,” Saleh said of Wilson’s next step. “Not to put extra expectations on him, but Year 3 is usually when these young kids figure it out fully. He’s been phenomenal these first two years, but Year 3 is when they learn balance between their newfound fame, the money in their bank account, the social media stuff, the branding, the family part of it and then the football part of it. They learn how to balance all of that so they can keep the main thing the main thing, which is being a great football player.

“He’s always had his head on straight. Just him going Year 3, knowing the game the way he knows it now, the sky’s the limit.”

Wilson said his focus this offseason was on getting stronger.

“I was actually bigger last year. It’s more where the weight is,” Wilson said. “I’m stronger. I can lift more weight. When I said bigger, I meant more cut. I got that accomplished, and now it’s time to go out there and put it on the field.”