In a season full of ups and downs, New York Jets rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson provided a moment of pure magic during Thursday night’s crucial 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans. Wilson’s incredible one-handed touchdown grab not only electrified the MetLife Stadium crowd but also left several Jets legends in awe of the young star’s athleticism and clutch playmaking ability.
Jets Greats Marvel at Wilson’s Catch
Wayne Chrebet, one of the most beloved figures in Jets history, witnessed Wilson’s catch from a stadium suite and couldn’t contain his amazement. “Best catch I’ve ever seen, better than anything I did,” Chrebet declared. “I’m jealous, but I think it saved the season.”
Brandon Marshall, another Jets receiving great, was equally impressed while watching the game from his South Florida home. “He should put that on a T-shirt and sell it right away,” Marshall texted. “[It’s] the catch that turned the Jets’ season around and saved a lot of jobs.”
Even Wesley Walker, the Jets’ second all-time leading receiver, couldn’t help but compare Wilson’s grab to his own legendary catches. “I always link it to my own experiences, like, ‘Hey, there has to be some divine intervention there’ because sometimes you don’t know how you make a catch like that,” Walker mused from his Arizona residence.
A Catch for the Ages
Wilson’s 26-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a completion probability of just 14%, according to Next Gen Stats. The degree of difficulty was not lost on Chrebet, who marveled at Wilson’s body control and concentration.
You’re up there, you’re just trying to get your hand on the ball and bring it in — which is hard enough — but to stop your body from rotating out of the end zone … I don’t know if someone who never tried to do that will realize how hard that is.
Wayne Chrebet
Comparisons to Odell Beckham Jr.’s famous one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 were inevitable, but Walker refused to pick a favorite. “Oh, my god, I could never say,” he admitted. “That’s like comparing athletes. Who’s the best? There is no one best. You’re just in awe that they were able to do that.”
Wilson’s Record-Breaking Rookie Season
With his seventh catch of the night, Wilson became the first player in Jets history to record 60 receptions in the team’s first nine games of a season. He’s on pace to shatter the franchise’s single-season receptions record of 109, set by Marshall in 2015.
As the Jets continue their push for a playoff spot, they’ll undoubtedly lean on their budding superstar to make more game-changing plays. If Wilson’s one-handed masterpiece is any indication, he’s more than ready for the challenge.
Yeah, Justin Jefferson was pretty good, but I haven’t seen a catch like that. Not in person.
Tyler Conklin, Jets tight end
With legends like Chrebet, Marshall, and Walker singing his praises, Garrett Wilson has already cemented his place in Jets lore. Now, the sensational rookie will look to build on his epic performance and help lead the Jets to even greater heights in the second half of the season.
