Sauce Gardner will embark on his fourth season with the Jets with many more expected in his future.
The former fourth-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft agreed to terms on a four-year, $120.4 million deal with New York -- including $60 million in new money guarantees -- NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday. At an average of $30.1 million per year, Gardner becomes the highest-paid corner in NFL history with this new contract, which locks him in through 2030.
Gardner burst onto the scene as a rookie, leading the NFL in passes defensed (20) and earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in runaway fashion while also garnering some Defensive Player of the Year votes in the process. He was named a first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons, and while he didn't enjoy the same success in a tumultuous 2024 season that saw Gardner commit a career-high 10 penalties, New York's new regime had already seen enough to invest significantly in the Cincinnati product, who owns the highest Pro Football Focus coverage grade among NFL corners since 2022.
Gardner becomes the second member of the Jets' 2022 draft class to sign a four-year extension worth at least $120 million, joining receiver Garrett Wilson (the 10th overall pick in 2022) in that group. Both rank in the top five in average annual value at their positions.
Gardner's new contract wasn't stunning, but it is pleasantly surprising to see a fresh leadership group invest in a player they didn't choose before he even plays a snap under their direction. Gardner is the caliber of player deserving of such treatment, though, and as his 25th birthday approaches in August, the Jets knew it was wise to lock down a corner who has done plenty of that in his first three seasons before he could even consider seeing the open market.
With former NFL defensive back Aaron Glenn now leading the Jets, we'll see what's in store for Gardner. We already know it's going to involve much more cash.
