What does it say about a player when, just weeks after publicly angling for a contract extension, he trades cleats for a whistle? Garrett Wilson’s evolution in the NFL has never focused on statistics; instead, his side hustle now reflects his all-in mindset under WR1 pressure in New York, emphasizing the importance of his presence. And now, the Jets‘ star is proving his leadership in an unexpected but telling way.

In July, Wilson will be running back-to-back youth football camps in New Jersey and New York, and it’s not just any random showing up but stepping into a full-blown coaching role. Wilson is now focused on building a culture rather than just catching passes. The same guy who said he wants to be “a Jet for life” is now teaching six-year-olds how to run routes and keep their heads up. While this may appear as a side project during the offseason, Wilson is embracing the responsibilities of being the face of the franchise.

That’s especially notable considering the contract tension brewing under the surface. Wilson, who has posted 1,000+ yards in each of his first three NFL seasons despite unstable quarterback play, is clearly due for a rise. The Jets picked up his fifth-year option, locking him in through 2026 at $16.8 million. However, any future deal will likely demand double that annually. Either way, Wilson’s current tone is a marked shift from his frustration last year. “I’m hopeful I’m a Jet for life,” he said. “I’m going to try to do my part to make sure that it’s undeniable.”

So instead of holding out, Garett Wilson has gone the other way. He’s shown up for voluntary workouts. He’s embraced the new coaching staff. And now he’s hosting camps backed by Adidas and FlexWork in Madison, NJ (July 18) and Rye, NY (July 19), where kids ages 6–16 will be learning from someone who isn’t just preaching football, he’s living it and giving the next generation a chance of learning exactly what he knows. “There’s a way you go about business when you love what you do,” Wilson told the Associated Press. And his off-field actions are walking that talk.

Jets’ WR room woes put more pressure on Garett Wilson’s shoulders

While Garett Wilson wears many hats this summer as a playmaker, mentor, and future contract case study, the situation around him feels far less stable. The Jets’ wide receiver depth chart behind him is, to put it kindly, underwhelming. As Locked On Jets host John Butchko said bluntly, “There’s just not a lot to feel great about … behind Garrett Wilson at the wide receiver position.”

Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard are both veterans who are now on the supporting cast, but neither has shown WR2 upside in the past several years. The group includes names like Arian Smith, Malachi Corley, and Xavier Gipson, but none have yet established themselves. Butchko summed it up with brutal clarity: “I don’t think there’s a good chance that anybody on this team right now is going to be a quality number two receiver.”

That reality creates a high-stakes dynamic for Wilson heading into the upcoming season. He is not only the clear WR1, but he might also be the only wide receiver Justin Fields can count on. Aaron Glenn, the new head coach, has already made his plans clear: “Give him the ball as much as possible, that’s it.” Wilson’s production could determine the success of this offense.

Wilson, for his part, doesn’t seem fazed. His decision to host youth camps, report early to offseason workouts, and publicly commit to the Jets signals a player who’s locked in, whether he has a contract or not. The big issue is whether the front office will reward that approach soon or wait another year.

But maybe this is Wilson’s masterclass. Instead of fighting for leverage, he’s creating it, and it starts with one camp, one catch, and one example at a time. When a player begins to act like the cornerstone, they often become one; however, the upcoming months may prove to be more interesting as preseason approaches.