Garrett Wilson ready for ‘fun matchup’ with ex-Jets teammate D.J. Reed…
Garrett Wilson was discussing the challenges the Lions current, from their explosive offense to their playmakers on protection.
Then, he smiled as he talked about one in all their cornerbacks, former Jets teammate D.J. Reed. His presence provides another layer — an emotional one — to Sunday’s assembly in Detroit.
“That’ll be a fun matchup, getting to go against one of my great friends from early on in my career,” Wilson said after Thursday’s apply.
“He was just competitive as hell, and we would talk about it after. I can’t imagine we do much talking after this week,” the standout Jets receiver later added.
Reed performed a pivotal function early in Wilson’s NFL profession. Their first summer season together in 2022, they battled each other in training camp and have become fast pals.
Reed had labored his approach up the NFL ladder, from being a fifth-round draft choose to signing a three-year, $33 million deal with the Jets in 2022. Wilson was a first-round draft choose who discovered an awesome deal about laborious work and perseverance from Reed’s skilled journey.
“We ended up being locker neighbors, two lockers down from me. The banter we would have, the conversations, he was someone who beat the odds, honestly,” Wilson said. “He was undrafted, acquired to Seattle and labored his approach up the depth chart, and impulsively he was a mainstay, cornerback No. 1. Stuff like that doesn’t occur accidentally.
New York Jets broad receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after scoring a landing during a game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. USA TODAY Network by way of Reuters Connect
“As a young guy, I might not have known what I know now, but I still knew it was special. He was a great friend. Every time we [faced each other], he would have something to say about how I could make it better, or ‘G., that was a great route.’ Just stuff like that I appreciate and have held on to this point.”
This will mark the first time the two pals see one another as opponents. In his third season with the Lions, Reed is off to a strong start. According to Pro Football Focus, he has registered a 65.4 defensive grade, which ranks thirty fifth among 96 certified cornerbacks. In two games, Wilson has 11 catches for 136 yards and a landing. He has, however, been focused just 14 occasions, a quantity the Jets want to see improve.
There is a nice stability between forcing the ball to Wilson and never throwing it to him sufficient. Opposing groups are clearly trying to take him away.
D.J. Reed (4) of the Detroit Lions strains up before the snap during the second half of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, Sept. 17, 2026. Getty Images
“Watching the film for me, I thought I did what was asked,” Wilson said of the loss to the Packers, by which he had 5 catches for 57 yards and a landing. “For me, just keep chopping. That’s the mentality and things are going to shake out how they shake out.”
The Jets are going to want more out of their offense to tug the upset against the Lions, who boast one in all the premier assaults in the NFL. The Jets have been held to 10 factors in the second half and time beyond regulation by the Packers in a irritating defeat. But Detroit’s protection has struggled, permitting a mixed 71 factors via two weeks against the Saints and Bills. The potential for a big Wilson game is there.
He will probably be very acquainted with the cornerback defending him. Then again, Reed is aware of Wilson properly, too.
So, who has the benefit?
“It helps both of us. It’s one of those things where you have an idea what you’re getting into. It’s not uncharted waters,” Wilson said. “From that point on, it’s the way you alter, who’s gotten better in those two years that we haven’t been together, and who performs the game within the game better on Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to it. Great person, great player, and I expect to have a great matchup on Sunday with him.”
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