New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner will be entering his fourth season with the franchise. He is one of the cornerstone pieces of this franchise and Gardner hopes to be with the Jets for his entire NFL career.
New York will need to get a contract extension done with him by the time next training camp rolls around. His fifth-year option was already picked up and he won’t be a free agent until after the 2026 NFL season. Gardner may not be the only player on the roster who might be getting a contract extension soon with this team anyways.
New York Jets Should Not Wait To Pay Sauce Gardner According To One Insider
Zack Rosenblatt covers the Jets for the Athletic, and each staff member was asked to give their answers about one player on each team who will need a contract extension potentially. Well, Rosenblatt gave two answers in this situation, and they were Gardner and also wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The main focus here was the Jets star cornerback and Rosenblatt said,
“Yes, I cheated and picked two, but it’s hard to pick one without including the other. Until (or if) the Jets’ two young stars sign an extension, it will be a topic to confront. The longer the Jets wait, the more they’ll have to pay. Gardner wants to be the highest-paid corner in the NFL — and I’d expect that Wilson is seeking in the range of $25-30 million per season. Both have publicly stated they want to be with New York for life — and the Jets would be smart to lock in their two biggest building blocks sooner than later, even if they don’t technically have to.”
Gardner during the 2024 season with New Yok recorded 49 tackles, one sack, one interception, and nine pass deflections. He is only 24 years old and is already one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. According to Spotrac, Gardner’s cap hit for the 2025 season will be north of $10 million and his cap hit for the 2026 season will be north of $20 million.
There is a chance that his future contract with the Jets organization could be worth more than $25-$30 million for each season. That would be a lot of money for him, and New York has also not made the playoffs since the 2010 season. With the Jets losing D.J. Reed in free agency this offseason to the Detroit Lions, New York can’t afford to lose Gardner within the next couple of years, and they need to give him a long-term deal.
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