NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
New York Jets Star wide receiver Garrett Wilson responded to criticism from popular sports figure Stephen A. Smith following comments Smith made about his team.
The Jets' organizational problems prompted Smith to say he would rather drink poison than play for the team. NFL team.
“I would go back to college before playing for the Jets.” This is a football crime. They're terrible,” Smith said during a rant on ESPN's “First Take.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said Thursday he doesn't think there is a Democratic candidate who could beat the Vance/Rubio presidential ticket in 2028. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Wilson quickly moved on to the comments on X's post, calling Smith a “sellout.”
“Hell, you have to be a real sellout and, above all, a square to be on ESPN these days. I used to love this show,” Wilson wrote.
JETS MAKE NFL HISTORY WITH A SEASON OF UNPRECEDENTED FAILURES AND RECORD FAILURES
Smith's rant was prompted by a conversation about Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore, who could become the Jets' No. 2 overall pick if he decides to leave school after the College Football Playoff.
“I ate to give myself food poisoning when I was like garbage before I played for the Jets,” Smith said. “Anything I could do to stay alive and okay, but to ruin their thoughts about me ever being in their lineup, I would do.”
Smith also criticized Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who retained his job despite a 3–14 season that led to a poor record in the NFL, most notably being the first team without an interception all season.
“I am a black man who has been pushing for opportunities for black coaches for many years. I did it,” Smith explained. “The situation is much better than in the past. And it pains me to say this, okay? There is no way in hell Aaron Glenn should remain the head coach of the New York Jets. They are terrible and have gone off topic, damn close to the peak.”
Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets walks off the field after a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 29, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
And no, Smith wasn't done there. He targeted the organization as a whole.
“There are people who died rooting for the Jets.” They're terrible. Terrible. And they are worth going to if you want to drown, if you want to dissipate, if you just want to rot. They're terrible.”
The Jets haven't made the playoffs in 15 years, the longest drought in professional sports.
But there's no doubt about the dysfunction that comes with this streak. Wilson, 24, knows this after being a first-round pick out of Ohio State in 2022. He shined alongside a select few teammates, but never saw a season above .500, let alone playoff football.
Stephen A. Smith and Garrett Wilson (Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Jets are facing another offseason of uncertainty, especially in the cornerback department. Will they go with another young rookie in hopes that he will prove to be their long-awaited quarterback of the future? Or the Jets are pursuing free agency like they did last offseason given that the acquisition of Justin Fields didn't work out.
Follow Fox News Digital sports reporting on X and subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
