Jets' Garrett Wilson on Aaron Rodgers: 'I ain't talked to Aaron since he left'
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Credit: Getty Images/Joe Sargent; Noah K. Murray.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Garrett Wilson said it was great to play with “a living legend,” but he has had no contact with his former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, since the Jets released him.
“I ain’t talked to Aaron since he left,” Wilson said. “I wish him the best this season. But we ain’t chopped it up since he left.”
Rodgers will be at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, leading the Steelers against the Jets.
It’s been well documented that Wilson and Rodgers weren’t that close last season. There were reports that Wilson might request a trade if Rodgers returned, but Wilson said Thursday that he tried to be a sponge around him.
“I got the opportunity to play with a living legend in this game,” Wilson said. “For me, it was every day I got to learn something. I tried to go about it the right way and always make sure I was being a sponge.
“Man, it’s hard to put into the words exactly what I took away from those experiences sitting next to him and here, the way he talks about ball. I learned a lot.”
Wilson, who signed a four-year, $130 million extension in July, likes the changes the Jets have undergone.
Aaron Glenn was hired as coach and signed Justin Fields, Wilson’s former Ohio State teammate, to be the quarterback. Wilson is excited to see what they can do together in the NFL.
“When you’re coming into the league, you don’t think you’re ever going to get to play with your college teammates again, let alone the guy throwing you the ball,” Wilson said. “It’s a blessing for me to have some familiarity in the level of conversations we can have.
“It’s just exciting, man. I’m excited to go out there and put my best foot forward to make sure that we’re hitting on all cylinders.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
