Garrett Wilson is entering his third NFL season. That means a Garrett Wilson extension looms in 2025 for the Jets, but what should it look like?
Garrett Wilson Likely Extension Following Justin Jefferson
The Minnesota Vikings used the fifth-year option on Justin Jefferson, and he’s now getting a huge payday. His new extension has a total max value of $140 million over potentially four seasons. Of the $140 million, $110 million is guaranteed. Ian Rapoport was the first to break the story.
The #Vikings and All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson have a new deal to reset the WR market and make him the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB, sources tell me & @TomPelissero.
It’s a mammoth, 4-year extension worth $140M — $35M per year — with $110M guaranteed.
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— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 3, 2024
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So, what does that mean for an extension for Garrett Wilson? Let’s take a look.
The key to the contract isn’t just the years and the total potential value of the contract. The biggest thing is how it’s structured.
Right now, Wilson is due $3,507,819 in 2025 (base salary: $1.1 million, guaranteed roster bonus: $2,407,819). His prorated signing bonus from his rookie contract is $3,032,092, for a total cap hit of $6,539,911.
As of the information we have, if Jefferson plays out his contract — as is — he will earn an average of $35 million per season.
Aaron Rodgers and Tyron Smith’s contract and how it impacts the structure
Next season the Jets can exercise another $35 million option for Aaron Rodgers if he decides to play. However, that creates a $63 million dead cap hit for 2026.
There’s also another looming number. Tyron Smith currently is not likely to earn incentives on his deal. Whichever he earned will cause a loss — known as an adjustment — to next year’s cap number for the Jets.
The decision by Rodgers to want to play, the Jets to exercise the option, and Smith’s incentives will have a major impact on how the contract is structured.
Let’s take a look at the best/worst-case scenario.
The impact of Aaron Rodgers’s contract AND Tyron Smith earning all his incentives
This is both the best and worst-case scenario for the Jets. It’s the best-case scenario from a team perspective because it means the Jets won the Super Bowl. It’s the worst-case scenario from a cap perspective because it will lead to a $66 million cap loss in 2025.
From a Wilson contract perspective, it could mean a lower signing bonus. However, there’s a way to mitigate the signing bonus for future seasons to get him to sign: guaranteed option bonus(es).
Option Bonuses are treated like signing bonuses. They are prorated for the length of the contract. That said, the cash is paid in full upfront. So, let’s say this scenario plays out, and the Jets and Wilson can get a deal done in 2025. He would get a small signing bonus in 2025, which would count against the cap for five seasons. The contract can include a guaranteed option bonus in 2026 so he can get his full pay upfront while also keeping enough cap space to sign free agents and extend Jets. If Rodgers were to keep playing in 2025, the 2026 option bonus would almost be a must, because Rodgers carries a $63 million dead cap hit in 2026.
Garrett Wilson Contract Structure Sample
Max value
Max Years: 4
Guaranteed Base salary: $50 million
Signing Bonus: $15 million
2026 Option Bonus: $25 million
Max total value: $120 million
Guarantees: 2025-28 base salaries, signing bonus, 2026 option bonus
| Year | Base Salary | Prorated Signing Bonus | Roster Bonus | Other Bonus | Guaranteed Salary | Cap Number |
| 2025 | $1,100,000 | $6,032,092 | $2,407,819 | $0 | $1,100,000 | $9,539,911 |
| 2026 | $1,215,000 | $3,000,000 | $0 | $5,000,000 | $1,215,000 | $9,215,000 |
| 2027 | $23,785,000 | $3,000,000 | $0 | $5,000,000 | $23,785,000 | $31,785,000 |
| 2028 | $25,000,000 | $3,000,000 | $0 | $5,000,000 | $25,000,000 | $33,000,000 |
| 2029 | $30,000,000 | $3,000,000 | $0 | $5,000,000 | $0 | $38,000,000 |
| 2030 | VOID | VOID | VOID | $5,000,000 | VOID | $5,000,000 |
In the end, the Jets will need to be creative to keep their best receiver while also maintaining space for the future.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports
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