It likely didn’t take Joe Douglas flat-out saying it to Tiki and Tierney on Tuesday, but the Jets general manager did confirm what many observed as New York moved through its offseason and the NFL Draft.
The top objective of the offseason was to bolster the talent around Zach Wilson to help him take the next step forward in year two.
“As far as the offseason, it was priority No. 1,” Douglas said on Tuesday’s show. “Doing whatever we had to do to help the progression and development of our second-year quarterback. The way he finished they year last year, I think every coach, every person was excited about how he finished the year strong in adverse conditions, having a lot of guys injured on the offense. It was a priority for us to help him.”
From minor moves like bringing back veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to mentor Wilson, to bigger adds like tight end C.J. Uzomah and one of the top guards in free agency in Laken Tomlinson. Then, at the draft, the Jets grabbed Ohio State wideout Garrett Wilson at 10th overall to give Wilson another weapon wo work with.
“When things started getting crazy in that wide receiver market in free agency, we kind of zigged when other people zagged and got those two tight ends that we felt could be a really nice security blanket for a young quarterback,” Douglas said.
“Now, taking Garrett here at 10, we have high investments at young wide receivers in terms of two second-round picks and one first round pick. Excited to have those young guys in the building that can grow together with our young quarterback.”
There were chances to massively upgrade the offense via trade this offseason, with a number of star wide receivers like Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown being traded, but Gang Green ultimately couldn’t swing a deal for any of them, but it wasn’t due to a lack of trying.
The Jets were, and are, willing to do whatever they can to maximize Wilson’s chance of succeeding.
“We explored a lot of different avenues throughout the offseason,” Douglas said. “We had a lot of different conversations over the last month and a half as it pertains to that positon. Ultimately, we didn’t get a deal done with one of those veteran receivers, but we feel good about adding a guy like Garrett Wilson, a young, explosive wide receiver that can stay on the same trajectory as our young quarterback.”
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