Through the first 11 games of his professional career, Garrett Wilson has a hat trick's worth of rookie of the week awards.
On Thursday, Wilson won his third NFL Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week honor of 2022-23 after his prolific receiving performance that led to a 31-10 victory for the New York Jets against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
8 times a Jet has been up for @pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie Of The Week.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 1, 2022
And 8 times that Jet has WON.
Congrats @GarrettWilson_V!!
https://t.co/9PDzFuCnik pic.twitter.com/nFZmoGuEbn
Wilson collected five receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns in his team's win, becoming the first rookie in Jets history to have two games with at least two receiving scores in their first season.
"He is still a young pup," Jets head coach Robert Saleh said of Wilson on Sunday. "There is still so much more meat on the bone for him as he continues to get reps and grow and learn. But his success is everyone's success because it's going to open it up for everyone else when teams try to take him away or do whatever they have to."
Against Chicago, Wilson's unique ability was especially prevalent on a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive in which he caught three passes for 32 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown reception. Wilson used a quick out route to create separation and hauled in the touchdown despite a holding penalty on a Bears defensive back near the goal line.
Mike White goes 6-for-7 with a TD to Garrett WIlson on the opening drive!
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022
: #CHIvsNYJ on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/BjNU8n0f1f pic.twitter.com/uffMSkdrN8
The former Ohio State receiver continued his next-level display midway through the second quarter. With his team approaching midfield, Wilson ran an inside route to the Bears' 37-yard line and secured a catch near the left hash mark. From there, Wilson juked out a Chicago defender and went the distance for the Jets' second touchdown of the afternoon.
"I saw they were in man coverage, so the guy I needed to beat was the linebacker, and I just felt as if I could get it over him and get it to Garrett," White said. "Garrett got open, which Garrett seems to do a lot, and then made the play when the ball was in his hand."
.@MikeWhiteQB to @GarrettWilson_V for a 54-yard TD!
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022
: #CHIvsNYJ on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/BjNU8n0f1f pic.twitter.com/DcSb1AxEH0
Wilson previously won NFL Rookie of the Week honors for his performances against the Browns in Week 2 and the Patriots in Week 8. He secured eight catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns in the matchup with Cleveland and six catches for 115 yards in the matchup with New England.
This season, Wilson has collected 49 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns. He ranks second among rookies in those categories, trailing only former Buckeye teammate and New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave for the lead in receptions and yards and Green Bay Packers wideout Christian Watson in touchdowns. Olave has caught 56 passes for 822 yards in 2022, while Watson has recorded six receiving scores.
