Garrett Wilson Becomes One of NFL’s Highest-Paid Receivers With Four-Year $130 Million Deal From New York Jets

Former Ohio State standout and current New York Jets star wide receiver Garrett Wilson has reportedly agreed to a massive four-year, $130 million contract extension, including $90 million guaranteed. The extension not only signals the Jets’ long-term belief in Wilson as a franchise cornerstone but also firmly places the dynamic pass catcher among the NFL’s highest-paid wideouts, a stunning rise for a player just three years removed from his collegiate days in Columbus.

Wilson’s new deal averages $32.5 million annually, catapulting him into an elite financial stratosphere shared by only a few other receivers, including the likes of Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, and Ja’Marr Chase. What makes this contract especially significant is the guaranteed money — $90 million — which reflects both the Jets’ commitment and the trust they’ve placed in his future impact. For Wilson, it’s not just a financial reward; it’s recognition of his consistency, explosiveness, and leadership in a franchise that has yearned for offensive stability for decades.

Garrett Wilson arrived in New York as the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and from his first snap, he looked the part of a WR1. Despite the Jets’ inconsistent quarterback play over his first two seasons, Wilson shined with sharp route-running, elite body control, and a fearlessness in traffic that belied his age. In his rookie season, he tallied 83 receptions for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns, earning the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He followed that up with another 1,000-yard season in 2023, and in 2024, finally paired with a healthy Aaron Rodgers for most of the year, Wilson posted career highs in yards (1,335), receptions (94), and touchdowns (9). Each of those performances underlined why the Jets saw him as a foundational piece of their offense.

The contract comes at a pivotal time for the Jets, who are entering the 2025 season with a strong roster headlined by Rodgers, a retooled offensive line, and a young, athletic defense. Securing Wilson ensures Rodgers — or whoever succeeds him — will have a premier target for the foreseeable future. As teams like the Bengals and Vikings have learned in recent years, elite receivers don’t grow on trees, and when you find one, you pay him. That’s precisely what general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh have done.

Beyond his on-field production, Wilson has emerged as a cultural tone-setter for the Jets. Mature beyond his years and always accountable, Wilson has taken on a leadership role in the locker room. He’s frequently been the first player out for practice, and his rapport with Rodgers has been documented extensively. In a league where ego often outweighs production, Wilson’s humility and work ethic have only enhanced his value.

At just 24 years old, Wilson is already being mentioned in the same breath as the game’s top receivers. His route-running, often described by analysts as “surgical,” combined with elite change-of-direction skills and sure hands, make him a nightmare for defensive backs. He creates separation with ease and has repeatedly shown the ability to make contested catches in traffic. According to Next Gen Stats, he ranked among the league leaders in separation and yards after the catch per reception in 2024, a testament to his ability to not only win routes but make plays post-catch.

The significance of Wilson’s extension isn’t just about the Jets — it’s about the larger evolution of the NFL’s wide receiver market. Wilson’s deal is part of a trend of teams investing heavily in young, homegrown talent at the receiver position. As offenses become more pass-heavy and receivers continue to drive scoring, organizations are treating WR1s with the financial respect once reserved for quarterbacks, pass rushers, and left tackles. Wilson’s contract now serves as a blueprint for other rising stars, like Drake London and Chris Olave — his college teammate at Ohio State — who are eligible for extensions in the coming years.

Speaking of Ohio State, Wilson’s deal also reinforces the Buckeyes’ growing legacy as “WRU.” With Wilson, Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr. now dominating the NFL landscape, the school’s pipeline of elite wideouts has become undeniable. It’s a recruiting pitch that needs little embellishment: Come to Columbus, and you’ll be prepared to star — and get paid — in the NFL. Wilson’s success is both personal triumph and institutional validation for Ohio State’s wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, who helped refine Wilson’s skills and attitude during his collegiate days.

Financially, the structure of the deal is still being finalized, but insiders report that the bulk of the guaranteed money will be paid out within the first three years. That gives the Jets some flexibility in the back end of the contract while giving Wilson security early. With the league’s salary cap expected to rise significantly over the next few seasons thanks to new media deals and international growth, the Jets made the move at the right time. Waiting could have forced them into an even larger number.

For Jets fans, long starved for offense and plagued by disappointing draft picks at the skill positions, Wilson has been a beacon of hope and excitement. Whether it’s hauling in a toe-tap touchdown or dragging defenders for extra yards on a slant route, he’s delivered highlight after highlight. And perhaps more importantly, he’s given the team an identity — a face of the franchise they can market and build around.

Social media erupted when news of the deal broke, with Jets players, former teammates, and Buckeye alums offering congratulations. Rodgers himself posted a story on Instagram of the two linking up during offseason workouts, captioning it, “Paid and deserved. Let’s go eat.” Even Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, another former Buckeye, chimed in, tweeting “The best is yet to come. Buckeye built.”

Wilson’s journey from Austin, Texas, to Ohio State, and now to superstardom in the nation’s largest media market, is a story of talent meeting preparation. He was a five-star recruit in high school, a breakout star in college, and now, he’s among the NFL’s elite — both in performance and paycheck. That journey has been defined by adaptability and growth, but at every level, Wilson has elevated his game.

The pressure of New York can crush some athletes. The expectations, the media, the intensity — it’s not for everyone. But Wilson has not only survived in the Big Apple; he’s thrived. He’s done it with grace, consistency, and a relentless hunger to improve. With his financial future now secure, Wilson’s focus will remain on chasing wins — and perhaps, a Super Bowl ring.

There’s no doubt the Jets believe they can contend in 2025. They’ve built a top-five defense, reloaded their offensive line, and have a future Hall of Famer under center. But as every championship team knows, it takes more than talent — it takes playmakers who deliver in the biggest moments. With Garrett Wilson, the Jets have exactly that.

As minicamp turns to training camp and anticipation builds, Wilson will step onto the practice field no longer as a rising star, but as a paid superstar. And if history is any indication, the contract won’t change him. He’ll still be the first guy out, the last guy in, and the one every defensive coordinator fears the most.

The Jets have made their bet — a $130 million bet — that Garrett Wilson is not only worth it but will be the player to help them ascend from perennial underachievers to title contenders. If he continues to evolve, stays healthy, and maintains his connection with Rodgers, the sky isn’t the limit — it’s just the beginning.