Garrett Wilson was one of the biggest names to watch ahead of the NFL trade deadline, but the New York Jets never appeared seriously interested in moving their star wide receiver. That didn't stop two Super Bowl contenders from checking in.
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers were interested in acquiring Wilson. However, a trade was never a realistic possibility. Wilson didn't want to leave New York, and the Jets had no desire to part ways with arguably their best player.
Wilson is under contract through 2030 and remains a foundational piece of the organization's future. Even with the Jets struggling, the front office clearly wasn't interested in making another franchise-altering move by trading away its top offensive weapon. That doesn't mean Wilson is completely satisfied with how things are going in New York. He recently made it clear that winning remains his biggest priority, even though he loves playing for the Jets.
“I want to win games and that's the one thing we've been missing here. I love it here. Do I love it more than I love winning? Nah, to be completely honest, but I'm hopeful,” Wilson said.
Those comments are worth remembering as the offseason approaches. If the Jets continue struggling and Wilson becomes increasingly frustrated with the direction of the franchise, trade speculation could return.
The Chiefs and 49ers certainly could have used a receiver of Wilson's caliber. Kansas City ultimately acquired Josh Downs, while San Francisco landed veteran Keenan Allen. Both teams addressed their receiver needs, but neither managed to land the young star who could have dramatically changed its offense.
For now, Wilson remains in New York. But if the Jets cannot convince him that their future is heading in the right direction, this storyline could become much more interesting during the offseason.