Garrett Wilson Eager for Reunion with Ex-Jets Teammate D.J. Reed

Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is preparing for a challenging matchup against the Detroit Lions, and a personal element has been added to the game with the presence of Lions cornerback D.J. Reed, Wilson's former teammate and friend from their time with the Jets.

"That’ll be a fun matchup, getting to go against one of my great friends from early on in my career," Wilson said after practice on Thursday. "He was just competitive as hell, and we would talk about it after. I can’t imagine we do much talking after this week."

Reed played a significant role in Wilson's early NFL career. During their first summer together in 2022, they competed intensely in training camp and quickly developed a strong bond. Reed, who has navigated a successful NFL career from being a fifth-round draft pick to signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Jets in 2022, served as an inspiration to Wilson, a first-round draft pick. Wilson learned valuable lessons about hard work and perseverance from Reed's professional journey.

"We ended up being locker neighbors, two lockers down from me. The banter we would have, the conversations, he was someone who beat the odds, honestly," Wilson recalled. "He was undrafted, got to Seattle and worked his way up the depth chart, and all of a sudden he was a mainstay, cornerback No. 1. Stuff like that doesn’t happen by accident."

Wilson added, "As a young guy, I might not have known what I know now, but I still knew it was special. He was a great friend. Every time we [faced each other], he would have something to say about how I could make it better, or ‘G., that was a great route.’ Just stuff like that I appreciate and have held on to this point."

This upcoming game will be the first time the two friends face each other as opponents. Reed, in his third season with the Lions, has started the season strong, posting a 65.4 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 35th among 96 qualified cornerbacks. Wilson has accumulated 11 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown in two games, though he has been targeted only 14 times, a figure the Jets aim to increase.

Navigating the balance between involving Wilson sufficiently without over-relying on him is a key consideration for the Jets. Opposing teams are actively working to neutralize him. Regarding his performance in the Jets' recent loss to the Packers, Wilson stated, "Watching the film for me, I thought I did what was asked. For me, just keep chopping. That’s the mentality and things are going to shake out how they shake out."

To secure an upset against the Lions, who feature one of the NFL's top offenses, the Jets' offense will need to improve. The team was limited to 10 points in the second half and overtime against the Packers. However, the Lions' defense has shown vulnerability, allowing a combined 71 points in their first two games against the Saints and Bills, suggesting potential for a strong performance from Wilson.

Wilson acknowledged the familiarity between him and Reed, noting that it offers advantages to both players. "It helps both of us. It’s one of those things where you have an idea what you’re getting into. It’s not uncharted waters," Wilson said. "From that point on, it’s how you adjust, who’s gotten better in those two years that we haven’t been together, and who plays the game within the game better on Sunday."

He concluded, "I’m looking forward to it. Great person, great player, and I expect to have a great matchup on Sunday with him."