Retour
Lost in the second half of the New York Jets' harrowing 28-25 home defeat to the previously winless Miami Dolphins was what looked like a sideline spat between star receiver Garrett Wilson and quarterback Geno Smith.
Wilson, the longest-tenured player on the Jets' offense, was held without a catch against a Miami defense ranked 29th in Expected Points Added per play (EPA) in the NFL. The Dolphins hadn't even held a lead until they scored on their opening drive against the Jets.
With New York trailing 21-17, CBS cameras picked up Wilson seemingly yelling in the direction of Smith as the quarterback looked at a tablet with a pair of coaches.
Wilson, the team's leading receiver each of the last four seasons, finished with just two catches for 26 yards and 26 yards. He quickly poured cold water on any bubbling animosity.
The Jets wideout was asked about the incident multiple times during a post-game media scrum. "We were collaborating. I don't even think I was talking to Geno," he explained.
"I think we were both heated, but not at each other at all. We were just a little disappointed with how we were playing up to that point and just wanted to be a little more aggressive.”
ESPN beat reporter Rich Cimini noted that Wilson and Smith both lingered in the Jets locker room for quite some time and were even spotted exiting the Jets shower at the same time.
What did Wilson say about the lack of targets? “It happens," he said. Sunday was the third game of his five-year career in which he had three targets (never fewer).
Coach Aaron Glenn took the blame for Wilson's lack of involvement. "A player of his magnitude, we have to do everything we can to try to get him the ball. Again, I'm going to put that on myself," he explained.
Smith seemed confused by the narrative. "Yelling at who?" he asked a reporter when a question about the sideline spat was mentioned. "I don't remember that. He might have been yelling, but I don't think he was yelling at me"
The Jets' signal caller completed 23 of his 30 passes for 287 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. His main target was rookie first-round pick Omar Cooper, who caught five passes for 115 yards and a score.
"Hats off to [Miami] for the game plan they had, but for us as an offense. We want to make sure we give 5 (Wilson) the ball as many times as we can," Smith added.
The Jets are now 2-5 on the season, and will face the Dolphins again at the end of November. Before then, New York has tough matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.