Jets' Aaron Rodgers improving his connection with star wide receiver Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson of the Jets runs a reception during the second quarter against Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Thursday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Garrett Wilson caught a quick pass from Aaron Rodgers in the red zone and was brought down at the 2-yard line. Wilson tossed the ball in disgust, got back to the huddle and told Rodgers to throw it to him again.
Rodgers thought that was “great.” He said “OK” and threw it to Wilson on the very next play.
The call in Thursday’s 24-3 win over the Patriots was a run-pass option. Rodgers faked a handoff to Breece Hall, moved to his right and fired the football away from cornerback Christian Gonzalez and to a spot only Wilson could reach.
Wilson extended his arms and snared it, combining with Rodgers for a touchdown pass for the first time. It also was his first touchdown grab in nine games.
“I feel like me and the end zone got a tough relationship right now,” Wilson said. “So it definitely felt good to get on good terms with the end zone.”
Rodgers and Wilson also need to get in sync. They have a great relationship, but their on-field connection hasn’t really clicked yet.
When it does, this Jets offense — which has scored three touchdowns in three straight games for the first time since 2019 — will give defensive coordinators nightmares.
The Jets improved to 2-1, Rodgers looked like vintage Rodgers and the Jets’ defense was dominant and nasty. They had seven sacks and allowed only a field goal.
The defense stepping up is nothing new. The offense being effective and efficient is.
Times are changing.
The Jets’ defense rarely plays with a double-digit lead. They’re usually trying to shut out teams because the Jets’ offense can’t score. The Jets haven’t had a quarterback like Rodgers, though.
“We’ve put our defense in tough spots for the three years I’ve been here,” Wilson said. “We owe them. We got to not just do it this week and be satisfied. We got to do that every week.”
Rodgers makes it possible. He completed 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns Thursday. In his last two games — both wins — he has thrown for 457 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
“Knowing that we can score any time we touch the ball is a good thing,” Robert Saleh said.
Eight different Jets caught passes on Thursday. Wilson had nine targets but only five catches for 33 yards. In three games, Rodgers has thrown to Wilson 24 times. He has caught 14 of those passes for 142 yards and that one touchdown.
Rodgers wants to get the ball to Wilson more. He knows he’s a dynamic playmaker, but so do the Jets’ opponents.
Wilson has been shadowed by good cornerbacks — Charvarius Ward, L’Jarius Snead and Gonzalez — often with a safety shading to his side so he doesn’t beat them deep.
“The entire focus of all three defenses we’ve played has been taking Garrett away,” Rodgers said. “Not a lot of singles, so that’s a tribute to Garrett and his talent.”
The Jets’ other pass catchers are benefiting. Tyler Conklin had five receptions for 93 yards against New England. Allen Lazard caught his third touchdown pass this season. Mike Williams is getting more targets each game. Hall and Braelon Allen also are good at catching the ball out of the backfield.
“When all those guys start producing,” Saleh said, “they’re going to have to balance up defensively, and that’s going to open it up even more for G.”
Wilson anticipates that happening.
“You’re going to have to take that focus off me here soon,” he said.
Wilson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 after catching 83 passes for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns. He had 95 receptions for 1,042 yards and three scores last year.
Here’s a tribute to Wilson and his talent: None of the six quarterbacks who threw him touchdown passes before this year have taken an NFL snap in 2024.
When Wilson was given the chance to play with Rodgers, the expectation was that he instantly would become the next Davante Adams. It hasn’t happened yet, but Rodgers and Wilson have plenty of time to become an unstoppable pairing.
They’re working on it.
Wilson said he’s “got to get in the lab and have some conversations” with Rodgers and figure out how he can be better so they can be better together. Rodgers also said he has to adjust some of his throws because of how quick and shifty Wilson is while running his routes. Rodgers did that on the touchdown.
“He’s the type of guy where sometimes you feel like — I’ve learned this — but a normal ball you think is going to be on target a foot in front of the numbers is sometimes behind him,” Rodgers said. “I’ve learned to throw it even wider than I actually think.
“I’m glad I did because Gonzalez was in a good spot there. G made, for the mere mortal, a really difficult catch, but for him [he] made it look easy.”
Once Rodgers and Wilson start clicking, everything will become easier for the Jets’ offense — and really difficult for opposing defenses.
n Moses to miss a few weeks
Right tackle Morgan Moses is expected to miss two to four weeks with a knee injury, according to the NFL Network. Moses reportedly suffered an MCL sprain and a bone bruise in Thursday’s game. Rookie first-round pick Olu Fashanu will start in his place.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
