Garrett Wilson addresses heated sideline exchange with Geno Smith after frustrating New York Jets loss to Miami Dolphins
Garrett Wilson addressed his heated sideline moment with Geno Smith after the Jets’ loss to Miami, but his lack of involvement in New York’s offense reveals a much bigger problem.
Was Garrett Wilson really yelling at Geno Smith? A viral sideline moment from the New York Jets’ loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday showed the star wide receiver heated and shouting at, or at least in the direction of, his quarterback while the defense was on the field. The clip spread fast, and it raised fair questions about where things stand for an offense that keeps sputtering.
Here’s my take: The sideline drama isn’t the story, the way New York keeps losing its best weapon in the game plan is.
It should not be hard to get Garrett Wilson the football. Yet, the Jets are sure making it seem that way.
Wilson and Smith downplay the viral clip
Wilson addressed the moment in his postgame availability, and he made it clear there was no beef with his quarterback:
“We were collaborating. I don’t even think I was talking to Geno. I think we were both heated but not at each other at all. We just were wanting to be more aggressive. That’s all it is,” said Wilson.
Look, Wilson is a fiery, emotional player, and you love that about him. That’s what comes with a No. 1 receiver of his stature. He plays with passion, and sometimes it spills over onto the sideline. We saw the same thing a couple of years back with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Wilson wants the football and he wants to win. That’s understandable.
Still, this one was rough to watch, especially considering how awful the game was for New York.
Quarterback Geno Smith was asked about the clip after the game as well.
“I don’t remember that,” Smith said. “He might have been yelling, but I don’t think he was yelling at me.”
Honestly, the video backs both players up. It didn’t look like Wilson was yelling at Smith. It looked like he was directing it more at Jets Pass Game Coordinator Seth Ryan instead. With that being said, it’s also clear Smith wasn’t paying much attention to whatever Wilson had to say.
The Jets keep losing Garrett Wilson in the game plan
Now, here’s the real issue. The Jets have been too inconsistent getting Wilson the football.
Against Miami, he saw only three targets and caught two of them for 26 yards. The week before at New England, he drew six targets and finished with four catches for 44 yards. Go back to the Chicago game and it was another low point. Wilson saw four targets and turned them into three catches for 27 yards.
Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t all been bad. Wilson has two 100-yard games and three touchdowns on the year. That’s exactly the point, though. When the Jets feed him, he produces. When they don’t, he disappears for weeks at a time.
Luckily for New York, Omar Cooper Jr. and Mason Taylor stepped up against the Dolphins. Other guys like Kenyon Sadiq have shown they can make plays too. But Wilson is the No. 1 receiver for a reason. He’s the best weapon this team has on the perimeter, and nobody else on the roster changes a defense’s plan the way he does.
The Jets certainly would’ve had a better shot today had they gotten him going.
Aaron Glenn takes the blame
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was asked after the game about Wilson’s lack of involvement:
“We have to do everything we can to try to get him the ball, and again, I’m going to put that on myself, you know, on him not getting targets, the targets that he needs, because trust me, that’s in the game plan to make sure he gets the ball, and we have to do everything we can to do that,” stated Glenn.
I admire that response from Glenn. Taking ownership is what a head coach should do. But I don’t think this one is on him. If anything, it falls on Frank Reich and the offensive staff to scheme up more looks and more opportunities for Wilson.
It shouldn’t even need to be said. The Jets have to find a way to get Wilson the football every single week. The offense sputters when he isn’t involved, and the tape proves it.
With Breece Hall coming back soon, New York will have more playmakers to work with. That only helps if the coaching staff makes Wilson the focal point again. I think they will, because they have no choice. If the Jets want this offense to turn the corner, it starts and ends with No. 5 getting the ball.
