“I Feel Pretty Good”: New York Jets 2x All-Pro on Contract Talks

After two great seasons with the New York Jets that earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year, two Pro Bowls, and two All-Pro selections, Sauce Gardner took a slight step back in 2024, partly due to a lingering injury late in the year. He recorded 49 tackles, one interception, and nine pass deflections in 15 games, allowing a 56.9% completion percentage, 541 passing yards, one touchdown, and an 86.9 passer rating. Gardner suffered a hamstring injury in Week 13 and missed Weeks 14 and 18.

The New York Jets’ DB is eligible for a contract extension

Since Sauce Gardner completed his third regular season, he can sign a long-term contract extension this offseason. Because the Jets exercised his $20.187 million fully guaranteed 5th-year option, he is under contract through 2026 and will hit free agency in 2027. Gardner has a $10.643 million cap hit in 2025 and $20.187 million in 2026.

Also Read: New York Jets: Make $20 Million Decision on Elite All-Pro

Since the cornerback market has skyrocketed toward $30 million, it would be logical for the front office to lock up their elite cornerback now rather than wait and have it jump to $40 million.

New York Jets 2x All-Pro on recent contract talks

During Thursday’s press conference, via Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Sauce Gardner provided an update on his recent contract negotiations with the front office and why he didn’t hold out of mandatory minicamp. He shared that he has felt good about how contract talks have been. Gardner also went on to say that he wants to help the team win in response to not holding out of minicamp.

Sauce Gardner said his team and the #Jets have been talking: “I feel pretty good about how the talks have been going.”

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) June 12, 2025

Sauce Gardner on why he didn’t hold out:

“I just wanted to show my teammates, my coaches how much I want to win. I want to be part of change in the organization.”

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) June 12, 2025

Here’s a look at the five-highest-paid CBs based on APY

1. Derek Stingley Jr.: $30,000,000
2. Jaycee Horn: $25,000,000
3. Jalen Ramsey: $24,100,000
4. Patrick Surtain II: $24,000,000
5. A.J. Terrell: $20,250,000

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