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Christian Watson deal makes Garrett Wilson Jets' contract look better
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- Christian Watson deal makes Garrett Wilson Jets' contract look better
The NFL has taught teams one important lesson over the years. If you're convinced a player is part of your future, don't wait too long to pay him. The New York Jets appear to have learned that lesson at exactly the right time with Garrett Wilson . When the franchise signed him to a four-year, $130 million extension that included $90 million guaranteed, some viewed the deal as expensive.
That's what happens whenever a star player resets expectations at his position. Less than a year later, however, Wilson's contract already looks like one of the better investments among NFL wide receivers. The latest example arrived when ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson agreed to a four-year, $110.5 million extension.
The NFL's wide receiver market never stops climbing
Watson's deal includes a $31 million signing bonus. Watson is a talented player. No one disputes that. What makes the comparison interesting is where the two receivers stand in their careers.
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Wilson has already established himself as one of the NFL's premier young receivers despite dealing with instability at quarterback throughout much of his professional career. Watson, meanwhile, remains a gifted but somewhat unproven player whose career has been interrupted by injuries and inconsistent production. Yet the gap between their contracts isn't nearly as large as many might expect.
Garrett Wilson's resume speaks for itself
Wilson's case is easy to make. Since entering the NFL as the 10th overall pick in the 2022 draft, he has consistently been the focal point of the Jets' passing attack. Defenses game plan for him. Opposing coordinators dedicate extra attention to him. He has produced despite catching passes from a revolving door of quarterbacks. That's what separates him from many of his peers.
Drake London 's recent extension with the Atlanta Falcons also helped push the market forward, further emphasizing how valuable it was for the Jets to reach an agreement with Wilson when they did. Timing matters in contract negotiations. This story is less about Watson than it is about timing. The receiver market isn't slowing down. It never does.
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Every new contract raises the bar for the next negotiation, and every delay increases the eventual cost. That's why the Jets deserve credit. Wilson's deal looked fair when it was signed. It looks even better today, and when receiver salaries continue climbing at their current pace, it may look even more team-friendly a year from now.
For all the criticism teams receive when handing out massive extensions, this is what success looks like. The Jets identified a cornerstone player, paid him before the market exploded further, and now get to watch as everyone else catches up.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Christian Watson deal makes Garrett Wilson Jets' contract look better
