Garrett Wilson figures to be bigger part of Jets' offense against Bills
Garrett Wilson of the Jets looks on against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Garrett Wilson figures to be more involved in the offense this week in Buffalo.
Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich understood Wilson’s frustration with his lack of involvement in Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Rams and said the dynamic playmaker needs more touches.
“We’ve got to find ways to get Garrett the ball more often,” Ulbrich said on a Monday Zoom call. “He’s one of the best players on our team if not one of the best players in this league, especially at his position.”
Wilson was targeted seven times, with four coming on the final drive. He caught six passes for 54 yards and had no idea why he wasn’t more involved.
“I don’t know, to be honest, man,” he said. “I got to go out and put my best foot forward and hope that things fall my way. I’d love to be involved, love to make an impact on the game. If people see it differently, it’s out of my control.”
Aaron Rodgers said the Rams’ coverage led to Wilson’s lack of targets. Davante Adams, Rodgers’ long-time teammate with the Packers, was targeted 13 times, though.
Adams has been targeted 15 more times than Wilson in the last four games. Still, Wilson is nearing 100 catches and his third straight 1,000-yard season.
“Just got to keep manufacturing looks and touches and targets for him,” Ulbrich said. “Putting him first in progression as often as we can and ultimately try and find ways to get him open . . . He absolutely is a guy we need to find ways to get the ball more often to.”
Fashanu injured
Left tackle Olu Fashanu suffered a foot injury Sunday. He left the field on a cart and the locker room on crutches and had tests done Monday. His rookie season could be over, but Ulbrich believes Fashanu will be “the left tackle for the New York Jets for a long, long time.”
Another new kicker?
The Jets could try out kickers this week. Ulbrich said it’s being discussed after Anders Carlson missed a field goal and an extra point on Sunday. The Jets already have used four kickers: Greg Zuerlein, Riley Patterson, Spencer Shrader and Carlson. Zuerlein and Carlson have missed eight field goals and three extra points between them.
Mistake-filled game
After rewatching the game, Ulbrich said there were “time management things I wish I had back.” He also acknowledged that a player missed an assignment when Breece Hall was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 at the Jets’ 33. Ulbrich said, “There was a lot of really powerful learning for me and for this team in this game.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
