Jets' Garrett Wilson reminded that 'you're replaceable as hell' by trades of Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson before the Jets faced the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 5. Credit: Ed Murray
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Garrett Wilson was “shocked” and “hated’’ that Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams were traded. It served as a reminder to Wilson that everyone is “replaceable as hell.”
Wilson said it’s been weird not seeing Gardner in the Jets’ facility. They were drafted six picks apart in 2022 and agreed to their four-year extensions within 24 hours of each other last summer.
Wilson chose his words carefully when he was asked if Gardner’s trade made him wonder about his own job security.
“I don’t ever worry about or think about security,” he said. “I know what it is when it comes to this league. We all, none of us have . . . you got security, but the reality of this game and when days like that come, it just reminds you: Go out and prove yourself every day on this field. It just puts emphasis on why we do what we do and go about things so hard, because the reality of it is, in this game, nobody . . . that’s all, yeah.’’
Wilson smiled and didn’t finish his thought. He later added, “I truly believe that you train and you approach every day [that way] because you’re replaceable as hell.”
The Jets are expected to have Wilson back for Sunday’s game against Cleveland after he missed the last two with a knee injury. He practiced the past two days, said he feels good and “the plan” is to play.
Wilson said he’s been focused on getting healthy and not thinking about anything else, but he was not a fan of the moves that sent Gardner to the Colts and Williams to the Cowboys because of his relationship with both players.
“My emotions, like that side of it, I hate it,” Wilson said. “I hate it. You know what I’m saying? I play football, I play with my brothers, I get to know my brothers. I hate it. But I’m paid to play football. No one cares if I hate it. Go catch the ball. And yeah, man, that’s what I’m going to do.
“I’m going to do my job to the best of my abilities so that stuff like that [doesn’t happen and] they feel like they can keep us all together, because that’s the reality of this thing. You don’t win games, things change.”
The Jets are 1-7 and building for the future now. They acquired two first-round picks for Gardner and a first-rounder and second-rounder for Williams.
Wilson said he’s on board with the plan that general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn have to rebuild the Jets.
“Yeah,” he said. “Yeah. I got to do my job. I get paid to catch passes, block, help my teammates out, make plays. They get paid to do that. I’m going to go play football. And I’m excited, man. I’m excited to go at this thing and chase what they . . . they have a vision. I don’t get paid to have this vision. They do, and they got one. And I got to trust them, man. I do.”
Getting defensive
Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said demoting former All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams was not a motivational thing.
“I believe in grown man conversations,” Wilks said.
According to Wilks, he showed Williams some tape and addressed the issues that led to his demotion. Wilks hinted it might not be forever. Linebacker Jamien Sherwood was benched for the first quarter of the Jets’ win over Cincinnati and played the rest of the game.
“Quincy is still a major part of what we’re trying to accomplish and get done,” Wilks said. “I think he’s still going to be part of what we’re trying to accomplish and get done.”
Wilks wouldn’t address the losses of Gardner and Williams and said he has confidence in the players still on the roster.
“We can’t sit here and ponder about the past,” Wilks said. “Those are great players, great people, phenomenal individuals, but they’re not canceling the damn season.”
Proud of Fields
Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand told Justin Fields “how proud” he was of him for handling a tumultuous week and helping the Jets beat Cincinnati before their bye.
“Honestly, it was really incredible,” Engstrand said. “He’s just a resilient player and just a resilient person, and he’s just somebody that you love to be around. We’re just so excited to keep building on what we have right now.”
Although Glenn hasn’t revealed his starting quarterback against Cleveland, it will be a surprise if it isn’t Fields.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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