New York Jets third-year wide receiver Garrett Wilson seems to be pointing fingers at offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett for his early struggles.
Through his first four games, Wilson has 20 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown catch. He’s on track to finish with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career.
During a Tuesday episode of ESPN’s “Bart & Hahn,” Wilson suggested the team lacks creative play-calling.
“I don’t think we do a lot of different stuff, to be honest,” Wilson said. “I watch football on Sundays, and I see a lot of teams mix it up and stuff like that. I don’t think we do that. I think we know our identity. It’s just about going out and executing it or figuring it out if it’s going to work. I don’t think we’re trying a lot of different things.”
Wilson added the team has limited his route tree, which could explain why he’s not generating better numbers.
“I know, personally, my route tree hasn’t been what it has been the last two years as far as the stuff I’ve been running,” Wilson said. “It’s just about figuring out if it’s the right identity and whether it’s going to win games.”
Jets starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 1 in 2023, and their offense cratered. New York finished 29th in points scored (15.8), and it went 7-10, missing the playoffs.
In June, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that the Jets considered adding a “senior-level” OC in the offseason, but they gave Hackett another chance.
New York was likely banking on his previous success with Rodgers. While Hackett served as Green Bay Packers OC from 2019-21, Rodgers won two of his four MVPs and made three Pro Bowls.
Retaining Hackett doesn’t seem to be working out for the Jets (2-2), though. They’re 21st in points scored (19 PPG), and 40-year-old Rodgers has posted an average 50.1 QBR in four starts.
Hackett should consider spicing up his play-calling. If he doesn’t, the Jets offense could keep sputtering, and Wilson could grow more frustrated.
