The New York Jets are ensuring their promising young players remain with the team. Following the announcement of a contract extension for receiver Garrett Wilson, reports indicate the team has reached an agreement on a significant contract extension with cornerback Sauce Gardner, as reported by various sources.
Sources indicate that Gardner is signing a four-year agreement for $120.4 million, potentially making him the highest-paid cornerback ever, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Gardner acknowledged the deal, noting that it is “just the start.”
At 24 years old, Gardner has become one of the league’s premier defensive backs after being selected by the Jets with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He earned the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor in his first season and has been named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler twice during his initial three seasons.
Gardner is coming off a slightly less impactful year — relative to his previous performance — recording 49 total tackles, nine pass deflections, and one interception. He dealt with hamstring problems during the season, causing him to miss two games. However, these challenges didn’t prevent the Jets from presenting Gardner with a substantial contract extension.
This agreement resolves one of the team’s major concerns heading into the offseason. With both Gardner and Wilson eligible for lucrative new deals, questions arose regarding how quickly the team would act to secure the futures of both key players.
The Jets acted swiftly, reportedly signing Wilson to a four-year, $130 million extension on Tuesday. The following day, they finalized an agreement with Gardner, ensuring that both players will contribute significantly to the team’s trajectory.
New York is hoping to recover from a disappointing 5-12 record last season. The team has already taken substantial steps to avoid a repeat of that performance. Besides securing Gardner and Wilson, the team added quarterback Justin Fields with a two-year, $40 million deal.
That group of players should provide ample excitement as the Jets pursue their first playoff berth since the 2010 NFL season.
