Aaron Rodgers praises Garrett Wilson, comparing him to ex-teammate Davante Adams as the quarterback says the Jets’ reigning Rookie of the Year could be ‘special for a long time’
- Aaron Rodgers was bullish on the Jets’ Garrett Wilson on Thursday night
- And the quarterback sees similarities between the receiver and an ex-teammate
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Aaron Rodgers has not been a teammate of Garrett Wilson for very long, but he already sees greatness in the receiver, as he admitted on Thursday that he sees similarities between him and star wideout Davante Adams.
A teammate of Rodgers on the Packers for eight years, Adams went on to become one of the league’s top receivers in Green Bay and formed a deadly partnership with his quarterback.
And after Wilson posted 1,103 receiving yards last season and won Offensive Rookie of the Year, Rodgers is impressed with what he’s seen firsthand of his new No. 17.
“Garrett is just — what a great kid,” said Rodgers from the Hall of Fame Game on NBC. “You know, I have so much love and respect for Davante and feel like he’s the best receiver in the league. So I don’t say this lightly, but there are definitely traits that this 17 has that that special 17 has as well.
And I’m not going to put him in that category yet because Davante is in a category himself. But Garrett has the potential to be really special in this league for a long time. Because he has all the right things you need.
Aaron Rodgers has become a great judge of wide receiver talent over the years
And he thinks Garrett Wilson could be “special” after a stellar rookie season for the Jets
Rodgers compared Wilson to Davante Adams, with whom he had a strong connection in Green Bay
“He’s got incredible talent, he’s got a great work ethic and he’s a great kid. He’s a really good person, cares, behaves in the right way – acts like a seasoned vet, but he has a humility that you like to see in a young player.
As Rodgers hurled him the ball, Adams earned five Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro nominations as a Packer.
Of course, Wilson still has some way to go to reach those numbers, but he thrived for the Jets last year despite largely poor quarterback play from Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco and Mike White. Rodgers should only increase his production.
The Jets showed promise last season as they jumped to a 6-3 start before collapsing in the second half to finish 7-10.
Rodgers is expected to take a team full of young talent to the next level, but either way, he’s enjoying his time in New York so far.
Wilson now gears up for his second campaign after gaining over 1,100 meters in 2022
“It’s a really fun environment,” he said Thursday as the Jets fell to the Browns (Rodgers didn’t play). “I think that’s what you have to do when there’s a big change in your life — you can resist it or you can just jump in and surrender to the process and all the newness of it.
“And just the excitement, it’s been really nice to be around these young guys and be around a team that is really hungry – who had some success last year and obviously finished rough,” he continued.
“But the pieces are in place and (head coach) Robert (Saleh) has done a fantastic job putting together a staff that encourages these guys, that pushes these guys and holds these guys accountable.
The Jets open their season at home vs. the Bills on Sept. 11.