The New York Jets must pursue this ideal partner for wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
The New York Jets have actually been playing some decent football lately, having won three of their last five games. That's all well and good.
But let's be honest: there is a ton of work that needs to be done here, and while finding a quarterback is at the top of the Jets' to-do list, they must also bolster other position groups.
That includes their wide receiver room.
Outside of Garrett Wilson (who is currently sidelined due to a knee injury), New York's receiving corps is beyond barren. Yes, Adonai Mitchell showed flashes in Week 13, but can the Jets actually trust him to become their No. 2 receiver moving forward?
New York desperately needs to add some pieces here, and the good news is that it will be absolutely loaded with cap space heading into free agency.
That should set the Jets up perfectly to make a run at some of the top wide outs available, and perhaps one of the most realistic options will be Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk appears to be headed toward a divorce with the San Francisco 49ers, who have grown tired of his lack of communication as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered last October.
The 27-year-old signed a four-year extension with the 49ers before the 2024 campaign began, but now, it's looking like San Francisco will release him after the season.
San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.Enter the Jets, who badly need another pass-catcher for whoever will be under center next season, whether that's Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Dante Moore or — God forbid — Justin Fields.
Basically, whoever is going to be playing quarterback for New York in 2026 will need more options at his disposal than just Wilson, and Aiyuk could be the perfect target.
We know what Aiyuk can do when he is healthy. He hauled in 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, helping lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance. He also recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns before suffering his knee injury last season.
Not only that, but the Jets may be able to bag Aiyuk on a bargain.
Given that the former first-round pick has not played in over a year and is coming off of a very serious injury, he surely won't get a ton of guaranteed money on the open market. More than likely, he'll land a relatively short-term, incentive-laden deal for someone.
Ergo, New York would not even have to surrender much cap space to add Aiyuk, who might even be willing to accept a one-year prove-it contract in order to fully cash in the following year.
Of course, whether or not Aiyuk would actually want to join Gang Green is the question. He already knows he wouldn't be the No. 1 receiver with Wilson aboard, and he might prefer to play for a contender with an established quarterback.
But if Aiyuk would be willing, the Jets have every reason to give him a chance in 2026.