Garrett Wilson and Aaron Rodgers got to play just four snaps together in 2023 before a torn Achilles tendon put an end to the Jets' signal caller's season.
Back together again at 1 Jets Drive for 2024 OTA practices, the chemistry between the budding star and the four-time MVP is unmistakable.
"We're able to have some conversations that we wouldn't have had initially at this time of the year," Wilson said. "Last year, those tougher conversations, those one's where we might disagree, where we do agree, where he's got his two cents on it which is always the best two cents I've heard, but me being who I am, I'm going to throw my two cents in there. So, it's been awesome."
Despite not being able to connect for a completion in the regular season, Wilson and Rodgers got to play two series together during their final preseason game of 2023 vs the Giants. The pair connected on 3 passes for 30 yards, including the game's opening score – a pinpoint 14-yard dart.
That glimpse of the connection showed up in the Jets' second OTA practice of last Tuesday, Rodgers bought time in the pocket and found Wilson for a fingertip grab in the back of the endzone. During practice No. 5 on Wednesday, Wilson beat All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner to the sideline for a difficult 15-yard catch.
"[Rodgers] is a resource for me," Wilson said. "Just a person that I can always bounce my thoughts off of. I feel more comfortable bringing certain things up. You never want to come off too strong, but I'm a curious guy, I got a lot of questions, I like football a lot, I like to talk the game. So, I've come to find out he's the exact same. We get along well and we're going to keep building that relationship."
Wilson told reporters Wednesday that he returned from the offseason leaner and stronger, and in matchups with one of the league's best secondaries in practice, his improvements have shown.
"He's got all the makings of a star receiver," Rodgers said. "And we feel like if we can both stay healthy that we can accomplish a lot this year, but it's going to be important we communicate."
Other than Wilson, the Jets added a pair of potentially big-time contributors in rookie WR Malachi Corley and former Chargers wideout Mike Williams – who continues to rehab from a torn ACL he sustained last season. Despite only being in Year 3, Wilson is excited to be a mentor and advocate for the new faces, so they can also build chemistry with Rodgers. a level of chemistry with Rodgers as well.
"I always offer what I can, I feel like I'm more of a show-you-guy," Wilson said. "Show you how to practice, show you how to do certain things, but whenever they come up and want to bounce some thoughts off me, I'm always there for that. We've had some young guys come up and it's really cool. They're all willing to learn and they're willing to learn from me. It's like, '[expletive], this is cool. It's cool.'"
