FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Garrett Wilson issued a strong endorsement of offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s system Thursday after the Jets’ second of 10 OTA practices, calling it “probably one of the offenses that I’m going to look back on in a few years and love the most.” Wilson, a homegrown player earning $32.5 million per year, is operating in his fourth different offense in five seasons.
Wilson described Reich’s approach as “player-empowering” and “receiver-empowering,” saying it fits his instinctual style. He praised Reich’s NFL playing experience and said the coach understands the instinct side of the game and how to train players to make the right decisions when things do not unfold exactly as drawn up on paper.
A veteran scout summarized Reich’s method succinctly: “Frank won’t coach you like a robot.” Reich’s system encourages receivers to make sight adjustments based on coverage, a contrast Wilson drew with Aaron Rodgers, who he said favored by-the-book route running. Wilson also referenced frustrations earlier in his career tied to playcalling and quarterback play, including a clash with Rodgers during the 2024 season; he now has Geno Smith and Reich in place.
The Jets have been searching for stability in playcalling: Reich is the 12th different playcaller for the franchise in the past 16 seasons, and the team cracked the top 10 in total yards only once during that span (2015).
Wilson is among three players who missed significant time last season participating in OTAs. His knee injury cost him 10 games — the first time in his career he missed time — and he said the layoff altered his perspective, noting he had been “getting a little bit too comfortable.” Running back Braelon Allen (knee surgery) and cornerback Azareye’h Thomas (shoulder surgery) also are back at practice.
The Jets also outlined facility plans and roster battles during OTAs. The team will build a two-story player performance center about 2½ times larger than the current weight room, to be completed before the 2027 season; the temporary weight room on an adjacent turf field is 70% larger, according to the Jets. On the depth chart, Bailey Zappe took second-team reps in Week 1 of OTAs, but coach Aaron Glenn termed the backup job an “open competition” between Zappe, Brady Cook and rookie Cade Klubnik.
