Jets urged to trade for $14 million weapon to pair with Garrett Wilson

The New York Jets are a team that desperately needs to improve in 2026. 

The team had another miserable season in 2025, finishing with a 3-14 record, and head coach Aaron Glenn is likely already on the hot seat entering his second season. 

So far in free agency, the team has made a few nice moves, but nothing that makes you think they'll be much improved in 2026. For example, the team has yet to add at wide receiver, and that's one of the biggest roster weaknesses. 

If the season began today, Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, and Isaiah Williams would be the Jets' starting receivers. Wilson is great, but he can't do it alone. As a result, Jets insider Patrick McAvoy believes the team should trade for Quentin Johnston from the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Regarding Johnston and the Jets, McAvoy offered the following: 

Johnston is a 24-year-old former first-round pick with back-to-back seasons with over 700 yards receiving under his belt. That's enough in itself to show why he would fit in New York. Wilson was the Jets' leading receiver in 2025 with 395 yards in seven games played. The Jets clearly need more firepower beyond him. What if he gets hurt in 2026? The passing offense will stall out.

As McAvoy mentioned, the Jets' leading receiver in 2025 had 395 yards. That's completely unacceptable, and it will be impossible to win going forward with such a stagnant passing attack. 

Wilson should be healthy for 2026, but he still needs more help behind him. Johnston is no star, but he's had back-to-back seasons of 700+ yards and is still just 24 years old. The Chargers picked up Johnson's option for the 2027 season, but it's possible they could trade him rather than pay his $16.4 million salary. 

In New York, Johnston would immediately be WR2 and would likely get the most targets of his career. The Jets brought back veteran Geno Smith to be their quarterback this offseason, and Smith loves to air it out. 

The Jets don't have to trade for a star receiver because they have Wilson. However, a young receiver with upside like Johnston could be the perfect target. 

More NFL news:

• Bills urged to pull of big trade for star receiver 
• Cardinals predicted to draft new QB for Mike LaFleur
• Tyler Shough needs more weapons in 2026 
• Titans predicted to add solid defender for new defensive scheme
• Could Chiefs draft elite running back in 1st round? 
• Mike McCarthy may not want Aaron Rodgers back