Garrett Wilson Reacts to Aaron Rodgers' Remark on Jets Core; Explains Jersey Change

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is prepared to accept the challenge after teammate Aaron Rodgers said it's time for the team's third-year players to step up.

"Yeah, 100 percent. Once you've had three years under your belt or two years, you just have more to give," Wilson said, per ESPN's Rich Cimini. "You've got more to talk about. You've got a little better grasp on what's going on. ... We've had some young guys come up and it's really cool because they're all willing to learn and they're willing to learn from me."

During an appearance earlier this week on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Rodgers discussed the state of the Jets and highlighted what he believes to be a bright future. He cited Wilson, cornerback Sauce Gardner, linebacker Jermaine Johnson II and running back Breece Hall specifically, all of whom were in the 2022 NFL draft class and will be expected to shoulder a heavier load in their third seasons.

Thanks in part to the Jets' erratic quarterback play after Rodgers' season-ending injury, Wilson's production went slightly backward in 2023. He caught 95 passes for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns.

Beyond having Rodgers back under center, a sartorial change is helping add to Wilson's confidence level. The 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year will wear the No. 5 jersey, the same number he wore in college at Ohio State.

"I feel like myself," he said, per Cimini. "I didn't really realize it, but something was off."

Jets punter Thomas Morstead, who had the No. 5 jersey last year, will wear No. 6 instead.