EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The climate wasn’t the one factor frigid on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. So was the on-field relationship between New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and large receiver Garrett Wilson, who was focused solely thrice over the primary 55 minutes and spoke cryptically afterward about why he wasn’t an element within the 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
“I might wish to be concerned, like to make an impression on the sport, however individuals see it in another way,” Wilson mentioned. “That is out of my management.”
May these “individuals” really be one individual … say, his quarterback? Wilson praised passing recreation coordinator Todd Downing for attempting to determine methods to get him the ball. By the method of elimination, that leaves Rodgers, whose most-targeted receiver over the previous 4 video games has been outdated good friend Davante Adams.
From Wilson’s sideline blowup final week in Jacksonville via the primary three quarters towards the Rams, he was focused solely 5 occasions over 5 quarters. In the identical span, Adams was focused 17 occasions. Even Allen Lazard (seven) had extra possibilities than Wilson, who ranted throughout final week’s win as a result of he wished the ball towards single protection on a particular purple zone play.
Wilson completed with six catches for 54 yards on Sunday — he made 4 late receptions, whereas the Jets had been down two scores — however it wasn’t sufficient to masks his frustration. Requested why he wasn’t concerned, Wilson paused just a few moments and cleared his throat.
“I do not know,” he mentioned. “To be sincere with you, I do not know.”
“I really feel like I ran good routes this recreation,” Wilson continued. “I really feel like I had a chance to assist the group, however typically it simply would not fall like that.”
Wilson dropped hints final week that he is not joyful, fueling hypothesis that he may ask for a commerce. He is on the verge of his third 1,000-yard season (987), however he feels he will be far more productive.
“Anytime we do not win, and I am not that concerned, it is robust,” he mentioned. “I am not going to take a seat right here and say I have not been concerned, however I simply suppose I’ve obtained extra to offer. … I feel I may help us. They know that.”
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich declined to touch upon why Wilson did not get extra alternatives, saying he wanted to observe the tape. Rodgers mentioned it was due to the Rams’ protection: cut up safeties.
“Yeah, numerous two-shell, so there weren’t numerous singles for him,” mentioned Rodgers, who accomplished 28 of 42 makes an attempt for 256 yards — however did not have any completions longer than 20 yards. “That is what they wished to play.”
The Rams performed a split-safety look on 29 of 44 dropbacks, in line with Subsequent Gen Stats. In fact, Adams confronted the identical protection and he was focused 13 occasions, leading to seven catches for 68 yards and a landing.
Afterward, Wilson spoke glowingly of Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who held the identical title with the Jets in 2022, Wilson’s rookie 12 months. Wilson known as it “a particular time,” saying how a lot he “cherished” LaFleur. He definitely would not love the best way issues are going this 12 months.
“On the finish of the day, that is my legacy, that is what I do,” Wilson mentioned. “Once they activate the movie, I simply at all times wish to go away a superb impression on individuals, that I am working good routes, that I can discover an open spot within the zone, no matter it might be.”
