Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner has already proven himself as one of the very best in the NFL at his position. And he’s eligible for an extension heading into his fourth year, a deal the Jets could be feeling pressure to get done now with the price of top tier cornerbacks rising exponentially in the last year.
Gardner could have put even more pressure on the Jets by not showing up for the voluntary offseason program, or mandatory minicamp. Instead, he was on the field for both. And Thursday, as minicamp ended and the Jets went their separate ways for the six weeks before training camp, Gardner explained why.
"Man, I just wanted to show my teammates, show the coaches how much I’m bought into this," Gardner said. “I want to win. I want to change the organization, I want to be a part of change in the organization.”
For all of Gardner’s individual success in his first two seasons the Jets have yet to break through and show they can win consistently. In 2022, Gardner’s rookie season, the Jets were in position to make the playoffs at 7-4 to start December but lost six straight games to finish. They haven’t been in that position since.
But some fans might be worried that the losing would send their top players like Gardner and star receiver Garrett Wilson (also eligible for an extension heading into his fourth year) looking for a better situation, it’s not the case with Gardner who is still hopeful a contract will get done.
“I’m letting my [management] team handle that,” Gardner said. “My team and the Jets have been talking, and I feel pretty good about how the talks have been going.”
Gardner started smiling when asked if it was important for him to become highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, a distinction he is likely to earn in an extension.
“I don’t really want to get into the numbers,” Gardner said, breaking into a laugh. “I just want to play football.”
Houston’s Derek Stingley, the No. 3 overall pick in 2022 (one spot ahead of Gardner) currently holds that distinction after agreeing earlier this year to an extension for $30 million per year.
However, Gardner endured widespread criticism in 2024 for a year that did not meet the All-Pro standard he set in years one and two. He struggled forcing turnovers and with tackling at times, but talk of him falling off to an average level was greatly overblown. His standing as one of the NFL’s best cornerback remains firm, and Gardner said the criticism isn’t driving him.
“There’s always been noise surrounding me after each of the years that I played,” Gardner said. “I’m used to it. I always feel like I have something to prove, each and every year. I had something to prove coming into the league, after my first year, after my second year, after my third year. That’s just me.”
Gardner said he feels good about the way he played in 2024, but he’s invigorated by the chance to play for a new staff led by coach Aaron Glenn. And he added that he’s talked with Wilson, who was drafted six picks after him, about being the core players who turn the Jets around.
“Since day one, we came here saying we got to push each other because we want to help this organization," Gardner said. “New York is a big market. If you win in in New York, it’s big for your legacy individually, big for the organization. So fast forward, we’re going into year 4 together and we’re [still] talking about how we’ve got to make the organzation better because we’re like the building blocks. We’re the homegrown talent.”
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Andy Vasquez may be reached atavasquez@njadvancemedia.com.