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Frank Reich can’t hear the screams from the nosebleeds and the bars and the living rooms.
But the Jets offensive coordinator hears it in his headset when the team’s most explosive weapon has been ignored for too long.
“[Coach Aaron Glenn is] always kind of in my ear, just, if Garrett [Wilson] hasn’t gotten the ball for a little bit, ‘Hey, don’t forget, get our playmakers the ball,’ that kind of thing, which is good,” Reich said Thursday. “We’re trying to get it to him as early and as often as we can. … He’s an unbelievable player, so we need to get him the ball. I think we’re doing that on some level. Can we do it more? Sure.”
Reich is aware of the frustration — from Wilson and fans — at the team’s inability to consistently utilize its No. 1 receiver given the offensive issues.
The Jets rank 25th in total offense (290.7 yards per game), 27th in points (18.7), 23rd in passing yards (196.2), 25th in first downs (17.2), 25th in third-down conversion percentage (35.1) and last in red-zone touchdown percentage (37.5).
In the Oct. 4 loss at Chicago, Wilson received just four targets, finishing with three receptions for 27 yards. In the loss at New England, the first-round pick — who is working with his fourth offensive coordinator in five seasons and his 11th quarterback since joining the Jets — was targeted just twice through three quarters, leaving the field visibly upset after recording four catches for 44 yards.
“In his moments of frustration — I’m not down on the sideline, so I don’t see all of them, but I hear about them — I understand, he’s a fiery competitor,” Reich said. “He knows he’s a playmaker, and we do too. He’s been great to work with. I love having him as our key lead dog, him and Breece [Hall] and Geno [Smith]. He sets the tone in so many ways. We love that feistiness. We’re not afraid of that.
“Is there a line you shouldn’t cross? Yeah, but Garrett’s a pro and he knows that. I think he handles it perfectly. I don’t mind when guys make a little bit of noise. I like when they make noise. … You can be team-first and know that you’re a dog and that you better get the ball. Both those things can be true, and they are in Garrett’s case.”
Despite his quiet performances this month, Wilson ranks ninth in the NFL in receptions (35), 14th in receiving yards (418) and is tied for 15th in targets (48), with three touchdowns.
The 26-year-old is on pace for 99 receptions, and career-high marks in yards and touchdowns, though his eight targets per game is the lowest of his career.
“They’re doing everything in their power,” Wilson said Wednesday. “I would say they’re on top of it. … It’s not like I’m trying to convince them that it’s the right thing. They see it that way too.”
Starting as early as Sunday’s game against Miami, Reich may have even more mouths to feed.
No. 2 receiver Adonai Mitchell could suit up for the first time since Week 2. Breece Hall may also return from injury. And rookie Omar Cooper Jr. put up 107 yards and a touchdown in his first full game.
But Smith — who is tied for the third-most sacks taken this season (19) and has failed to lead the offense to a touchdown in the red zone in seven straight chances — should have time to operate against the winless Dolphins, who have just four sacks through five games and rank last in the league in quarterback hits.
“The red zone, third down, short yardage, there needs to be improvement there in every way,” Reich said. “I’m very aware of the areas we need to be better at, and trust me, we’re working hard to get better in those areas.
“As the coordinator, that starts with me.”