A three-year, $105.8 million extension was inked by one of the league’s top players just this past summer, only for that player, Jeffery Simmons, to be traded Thursday morning to the Chicago Bears. The deal, which saw the Titans get a 2027 and 2028 first-round pick plus a 2026 fourth-rounder, while sending a 2028 fifth-rounder back, tells you exactly what the Bears think: Simmons, having just turned 29, will provide more value than those three picks over the next three years. It also begs the question: Could the San Francisco 49ers pry away Garrett Wilson from the New York Jets?
The Wilson Problem: Frustration and a Faltering Season
The situation in New York feels eerily similar. The Jets are sitting at a dismal 2-5. Wilson himself signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension in July 2025. But despite the big money, frustration is boiling over. Last Sunday, a visibly frustrated Garrett Wilson had some words for Geno Smith on the Jets’ sideline, reportedly a “non-factor” as the team trailed the winless Dolphins 21-14. Smith appeared unmoved. Wilson himself stated Wednesday he doesn’t want to be traded, but he does want to win, which, let’s be real, is a huge distinction. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich tried to spin it as “a healthy tension” on Thursday, but you have to wonder how healthy it really is when your star receiver is blowing up on the sideline.
Numbers Game: Dead Cap, Savings, and Replacement Options
From the Jets’ side, trading Wilson isn’t simple, but it has its appeals. Yes, they would incur a dead cap hit: $6.75 million through 2029 and another $4 million in 2030, according to Over the Cap. Jets fans would absolutely point to that as a reason to keep their budding star. But what about the cap space they’d save? We’re talking $16.5 million in 2027 alone, and over $29 million during the next two years. That’s real money, especially for a team projected to have the third-most cap space next year, with over $85 million, even with Wilson’s contract on the books.
Then there’s the argument that the Jets can actually move the ball without him. Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. has back-to-back 100-yard receiving games in their last two outings against divisional opponents. Their other first-rounder, Kenyon Sadiq, isn’t even their most dangerous tight end; that honor goes to Mason Taylor, a 2025 second-rounder. The Jets already hold three first-round picks in the 2027 draft. Adding another two for Wilson would give them serious ammunition to at least attempt to replace him, possibly even drafting a quarterback with one of those 2027 first-rounders, which they are already projected to do.
Why the 49ers Are Watching Closely
So why would the 49ers be aggressive buyers? Look at their roster. Trent Williams is 38. George Kittle is 33. Mike Evans is 33. DeForest Buckner is 32. Christian McCaffrey is 30. You also have to factor in how much longer Nick Bosa’s body will hold up. Even Fred Warner, who has been an Ironman for them, missed time just last year. Their window is now, and a talent like Garrett Wilson could be exactly what an aging, win-now team like the 49ers needs to make a big push.
The Jets have to weigh the frustration of a star against the financial flexibility and future draft capital. The 49ers, with their aging core, are clearly in a “win now” mode and will be keeping a very close eye on the situation in New York. This could be one of the league’s biggest blockbusters if the Jets decide to cash in.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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