Jets' Offense Features Top-Ranked 'New Veteran QB-WR Pairing'

Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson have potential for record-setting season

© Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

They have yet to connect on a pass during an NFL game, but the hype is building.

On paper, the New York Jets formed a dynamic quarterback-receiver duo by trading for Aaron Rodgers and pairing the four-time NFL MVP with the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

Set to build upon his 1,100-yard freshman campaign, Garrett Wilson is expected to noticeably benefit from the addition of Rodgers.

The duo enters the 2023 season carrying record-setting potential according to Around the NFL Writer Kevin Patra.

The Rodgers-Wilson connection headlined Patra's listing of "the top nine new veteran QB-WR pairings for the 2023 NFL season." 

With the two Jets holding the No. 1 ranking, the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson and Odell Beckham earned runner-up status. The Jacksonville Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley rounded of the Top 3.

"Nine best new veteran QB-WR combos for 2023 NFL season: Aaron Rodgers-Garrett Wilson tops board" — excerpt from NFL.com:

Rodgers joined the Jets to prove he still boasts MVP skills. ... There are more familiar faces to Rodgers on this Jets roster in Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, but no one is close to Wilson's overall talent. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year owns a go-to skill set and run-after-the-catch acumen that will mesh perfectly with Rodgers. Wilson's 22 missed tackles forced after a reception finished second in the NFL last season, per Pro Football Focus. ... QB-starved Jets fans would love to watch even an average Rodgers season, but a franchise-defining one could be in the cards. ... The hope is, in his new digs, the four-time MVP will hit the ground running with the young Wilson. If that happens, Rodgers-Wilson could quickly become one of the best pitch-and-catch combos in the entire league. 

— Kevin Patra

.@kpatra ranks the top nine new veteran quarterback-receiver combos heading into the 2023 NFL season. The Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott-Brandin Cooks connection makes the list, but that pairing is not No. 1https://t.co/clUjQ6apSw pic.twitter.com/3QH4rQCu8u

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 19, 2023

Wilson, who recorded first downs on 56 of his 83 receptions, made plenty of impactful catches in 2022, but he pulled in only 56.5 percent of his total targets (147). One has to think that number will rise due to better ball placement by Rodgers amongst other factors.

The former Ohio State All-American was charged with five drops as a rookie, accounting for a 0.034 drop percentage.

Jets' quarterbacks had an 86.6 passer rating while throwing to Wilson last year.

Gang Green has had one 4,000-yard passer in its history — Joe Willie Namath threw for a franchise-record 4,007 yards in 1967. Rodgers has reached the 4K plateau 10 times thus far during his career. 

The Jets' new quarterback has thrown at least 30 touchdown passes in eight different seasons. The team's current single-season record stands at 31 TD passes (Ryan Fitzpatrick).

On the receiving side, Brandon Marshall's single-season receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,502) records appear to be within reach for Wilson as a second-year pro. Marshall earned 173 targets that season, posting a .630 catch percentage.

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