The New York Jets had quite the 2022 NFL Draft. They had the No. 4 and No. 10-overall picks that year and it looks like they nailed them both. With cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson entering their fourth NFL seasons, the Jets had to make some contract-extension decisions and they made one yesterday by extending Wilson.
“ESPN sources: Jets and wide receiver Garrett Wilson reached agreement on a four-year, $130 million contract extension that includes $90 million guaranteed,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted on X. “It marks the first time in NFL history that a receiver has received an average over $31 million after playing only three seasons. Wilson now will be under contract the next six seasons, through 2030. Agents Jeff Nalley and Graylan Crain of CAA negotiated the deal with Jets executives Nick Sabella and Darren Mougey.”
There were brief rumors that Wilson wanted a trade out of town, but that’s par for the course when it comes to the Jets. It’s a moribund franchise for sure, but with a new regime in town it sounded like Wilson wanted to get a deal done.
“I’m hopeful I’m a Jet for life and that we get this thing rolling and that all of our best days are ahead of us,” Wilson said back in May.
So, what does this have to do with the Atlanta Falcons? Someone couldn’t make this more relevant to the Falcons’ situation with wideout Drake London if they tried. Aside from specific language, minutiae and “I” dotting and “T” crossing, the Falcons could probably grab a copy of Wilson’s contract and use a Xerox machine to give London something to sign.
The two wide receivers couldn’t be more similar in terms of age, draft position, production and years of NFL service. London signed his fifth-year option a couple of months ago, but that’s more of a place holder than anything. It would be shocking if Atlanta didn’t plan to keep him around long term, especially with a young core.
Wilson and London have very similar numbers
Through three seasons, there isn’t much space between the two young wide receivers statistically. Of course, they are physically different receivers, but their stats are eerily similar.
In 2024, Wilson, 24, caught 101 balls for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns with Aaron Rodgers. London, 23, hauled in 100 passes for 1,271 yards and nine scores.
For their careers, Wilson got off to a better start, but it’s really evened out between the two over the course of three seasons. Wilson has 279 career catches for 3,249 and 14 touchdowns, while London has caught 241 balls for 3,042 yards and 15 touchdowns. So, whatever the talks have been between the Falcons and London, Wilson’s contract should probably clear things up. If the Falcons want to keep London – and they’re smart – they will offer him the same deal pronto.
The Falcons need to act now
London is part of a young offensive core in Atlanta. Quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (also an eighth-overall pick) and running back Bijan Robinson (see: Penix) join London in forming a trio that could put up big numbers and fail to reach the playoffs because of a lousy defense for years to come.
If the Falcons want to keep that unit together, they need to sign London now unless they want his price to jump significantly (ask the Cincinnati Bengals how to do that properly).
Dave Holcomb of Sports Illustrated says Wilson’s new deal puts him in the rarified air of the elite pass catchers in the NFL.
“Wilson’s $32.5 million average annual salary will make him the fifth-most expensive wideout in the NFL,” Holcomb writes. “Only Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and D.K. Metcalf have a higher annual salary.”
London will certainly be part of that group. The question is do the Falcons want to drag their feet and watch him surpass that group? The Falcons should jump on this quickly because prices aren’t going down around the NFL.
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