Garrett Wilson laments Jets' struggles: 'We gotta stop being losers'
Star wide receiver Garrett Wilson has grown frustrated with the New York Jets' 3-10 record this season amid a four-game losing skid.
"When you're up in the fourth quarter all of a sudden it starts to feel like we have a losing problem, like a gene or some shit," Wilson said after the Jets' 32-26 loss to the Miami Dolphins in overtime, according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. "It's not like we're going out there and getting our butt beat from start to finish. No, we have a chance to win the game, we're supposed to win the game, odds are in our favor, and we find a way to lose."
Wilson doesn't believe the heart of the Jets' issues is in their mindset.
"No, (our) mindset is right, process is right, but at the end of the day — we gotta stop being losers," Wilson added.
New York was officially eliminated from playoff contention with Sunday's loss, extending the club's streak of missing the postseason to 14 years. The Jets own the the longest active playoff drought among the four major American sports leagues.
The Jets surrendered a 26-23 lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders tied it with a 52-yard field goal to push the game into extra time. Miami subsequently marched down field and capped the 70-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown catch by Jonnu Smith for the game-winning score.
Sunday's contest marked the third consecutive week, and fifth time this season, the Jets squandered a fourth-quarter lead.
The final result eclipsed a vintage performance by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Famer completed 27 of 39 passes for 339 yards and a score. It was Rodgers' first 300-yard passing performance since 2021.
Wilson said he would've been surprised if someone told him that the Jets would be where they are in the standings given their hard work and preparation in the offseason.
"One of my takeaways from this is we gotta win when the season comes," he said. "Winning in the offseason is winning in the offseason. Winning in training camp is winning in training camp. Let's win when it matters."
The Jets entered their 2024 campaign with heightened expectations. Rodgers returned from a season-ending injury behind a revamped offensive line. However, New York is on pace to lose more games this year than it did in 2023. The club also parted ways with head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas in the middle of what's been a disappointing season.