A day after his teammate and fellow 2022 draft mate, Garrett Wilson, obtained a contract extension, Sauce Gardner will even be a Jet long-term.
The deal consists of $85.653 million assured, in accordance with ESPN.
Gardner, 24, will common $30.1 million per season, which barely surpasses Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who signed a three-year, $90 million extension final March. Stingley was chosen a spot forward of Gardner within the 2022 NFL Draft.
“THE DEAL IS DONE this only the beginning,” Gardner stated in a submit on X. “I appreciate the Jets organization for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat, & tears we put in, and JETS NATION… I appreciate y’all supporting me Thank you GOD.”
Together with Wilson and move rusher Jermaine Johnson, the Jets exercised Gardner’s fifth-year choice in April, which had him below management till after the 2026 season. After extending Wilson as effectively, the Jets locked up each of their cornerstone gamers via 2030.
In earlier seasons, the Jets haven’t been as proactive in signing stars to contract extensions with two years left on their offers. Nonetheless, first-year common supervisor Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn have expressed their need to take care of the younger expertise they’ve whereas including extra expertise to the roster.
For the reason that finish of final season, Gardner has continued to precise his need to stay with the Jets and assist flip across the franchise, which hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010.
“I wanna to win, I want to be a part of changing the organization,” Gardner stated final month throughout necessary minicamp. “We got a new regime with AG [Glenn] and the coaching staff he brought in. I feel like they’re doing a great job and changing the culture.”
Gardner shortly made an influence within the league after he was the primary cornerback because the league merger (1970) to be named to the first-team All-Professional and Professional Bowl groups throughout his rookie season in 2022. He was additionally named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr.
Gardner adopted that up with one other first-team All-Professional and Professional Bowl marketing campaign in 2023. Nonetheless, Gardner’s play slipped final season, during which the Jets completed 5-12. He registered 49 tackles, 9 move breakups and one interception after battling a hamstring damage late within the 12 months.
Throughout his first two seasons within the league, Gardner averaged 66 tackles and 16 move breakups. Opposing quarterbacks accomplished 56.9% of their passes and had an 86.9 passer ranking after they threw Gardner’s means, in accordance with Professional Soccer Reference.
“I always feel like I’ve got something to prove each and every year,” Gardner stated. “I feel like I had something to prove going into the league, my first year, after my second year, after my third year, you know, and yeah, that’s just me.”
