Jets receiver Garrett Wilson says he wants to win more than stay

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson stated on Wednesday that his primary desire is to win games, a preference he said outweighs his personal attachment to the franchise. The comments came after a practice session as the team sits with a 2-5 record and the NFL trade deadline approaches on November 10.

Wilson addressed swirling rumors that he might want to be moved to a contender. He said he did not plan to ask the team to trade him, but he was clear about his hierarchy of needs. "I wanna be here, man," Wilson said. "I want to win games. That's the one thing we've been missing on here. I love it here. Do I love it more than I love winning? Naw, to be completely honest."

The receiver has spent the last few seasons on a team that has struggled to produce victories. He described his mindset as one of forced optimism. "I've never been the best, like, optimistic guy, but I've found a way, I've dug deep and I've been optimistic for three, four, five years now and that's why these [losses] each weekend hurt a little more," Wilson said.

A recurring issue for Wilson this season has been his limited involvement in the offense. In the Jets' 28-25 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Wilson was targeted only three times. That total tied him for fourth most on the team. He was seen on the sideline appearing animated about the lack of touches during the broadcast.

Wilson said the frustration stems from feeling unable to help the team win when the ball does not come his way. "No doubt," he said. "I'd be lying if I said it's not [frustrating]. But at the end of the day, it comes down to winning and losing. Just throughout my experience, when things go right, I tend to have a part in that. When it doesn't, it seems avoidable."

Jets quarterback Geno Smith defended his decision making on the field. Smith said he reads the defense and makes decisions based on what he sees. "There's only one football on the field," Smith said. "Garrett's a guy that, I've always said this, I'm looking to get him the football as much as I can, but gotta be mindful of what the defense is doing as well."

Wilson noted that the trade rumors coincide with the fact that it has been less than a year since the Jets traded away Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. He said he does not need to formally express his desire to stay to head coach Aaron Glenn or general manager Darren Mougey. "I feel like it's understood," Wilson said. "We've had talks throughout their two years here, they know how I operate as well."

Wilson concluded by saying he does not let external noise bleed into his daily routine. He focused on improving his football to eliminate the doubt that fuels narratives. "Right now, we're leaving doubt. And that's where narratives come in and people can talk. That's the world," Wilson said.