The New York Jets need to hire a head coach and general manager, and they need to make a decision on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
You can now add one more major question to the list for the 2025 offseason: What does the future hold for star wide receiver Garrett Wilson?
Can Wilson co-exist with Rodgers if the QB is back? Or is a better option to trade Wilson for a huge bounty?
What those inside and outside the organization have noticed for much of the season was brought to light this past week: All is not well with Rodgers and Wilson.
Wilson's comments to reporters after last week’s loss to the Rams called attention to an issue that has been simmering since training camp, one that must be addressed after New York hires a new coach and GM.
"I'd like to be involved, love to make an impact on the game, but people see it differently," Wilson told reporters on Dec. 22 after catching six passes for 54 yards on seven targets. "That's out of my control."
Privately, there have been questions regarding whether Rodgers and Wilson can find common ground since they had a blowup during training camp.
While Wilson will not publicly say it, those who know him well believe he's been frustrated at the lack of looks from Rodgers while wondering what else he can do to fix the relationship.
Is getting open not enough? Those who study the film will notice him being open while the ball goes elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Wilson will be eligible for a contract extension after he finishes this season, his third campaign since he was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That is a time when organizations make long-term decisions on their young stars. The goal is always to lock up homegrown players, and in most situations, that would be obvious here. Wilson is among the most productive young receivers the organization has had with 268 yards, 3,132 catches and 13 TDs in his career.
But New York also received calls from teams interested in trading for Wilson after they acquired Davante Adams in October, and while they had no interest back then, a new GM might see him as trade piece to help them acquire a new QB in the draft.
Wilson has not requested a trade, but if Rodgers is back, that is one of the options for how to proceed.
NFL.com reported earlier this month that Rodgers was considered a "long shot" to return to New York next season, but Rodgers' play has improved down the stretch, potentially complicating plans. The veteran quarterback, who has remained vague about his future, recently told reporters that he intends to spend time after the season ends to decide if he wants to continue playing.
Jets owner Woody Johnson is said to be a huge fan of Wilson, and it's hard to fathom a trade would happen. But at the right price, in this league, anyone can be available.
From Wilson's standpoint, his world changed when the Jets traded for Adams, a move he was a huge fan of. Yet he's also gone from Rodgers' top target to his second.
Since Adams joined the Jets in Week 7, Wilson has had 74 targets with 49 catches for 588 yards and three TDs.
Adams has been targeted 20 more times (94), with 56 catches, 719 receiving yards, and six TDs.
It's clear that it has been Adams who gets the ball when a play needs to be made -- the result of years of production and symmetry between Rodgers and Adams.
A Rodgers return likely would mean Adams, whose contract allows him to control his fate next year, is back as well, potentially continuing the trend of targets. Adams seems unlikely to be back if Rodgers does not also return.
Wilson does lead the Jets with 90 catches for 987 yards this season, but he has just one touchdown since Week 9.
There are also some people who watch this situation closely and say, every receiver wants the ball more. Perhaps.
But Wilson has been a No. 1 receiver, and with the tandem of Rodgers and Adams, he clearly isn't.
How the Jets handle his situation going forward will have wide-ranging ramifications.
