With training camp on the horizon, deals are dropping all over the place. Minutes after the Kansas City Chiefs made Trey Smith the highest-paid guard in NFL history, the New York Jets one-upped them with a blockbuster four-year, $120.4 million contract for Sauce Gardner, who becomes the highest-paid cornerback ever. The deal includes $60 million guaranteed and keeps Gardner tied to the Jets for six more years, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Term update: Jets and CB Sauce Gardner reached the agreement on a four-year deal that ties him to the team for the next six seasons, through 2030. It’s the same structure and length as Garrett Wilson’s deal Monday. Gardner’s deal includes $60 million guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/nEIvhG5yZu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2025
The uber-talented defensive playmaker seems awfully excited.
"THE DEAL IS DONE. this only the beginning," Gardner wrote 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."
THE DEAL IS DONE📝 this only the beginning. my brother @allantegardner bts & @ajv got it done. 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🥀 pic.twitter.com/1qsiT3Xga3
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 15, 2025
Gardner finished the 2024 campaign with one interception, one sack, 49 tackles and a QB hit in 15 starts. He has two Pro Bowl appearances in three NFL seasons. Now, he's the lynchpin of new head coach Aaron Glenn's defense for years to come.
Jets drop record-breaking bag on Sauce Gardner as Aaron Glenn era begins
The Aaron Glenn era is off to a rocking start in East Rutherford. This comes a day after Garrett Wilson received his own extension, worth $130 million over four years with $90 million guaranteed. Both these deals carry risk, but it's proof of New York's desire to build from within — and of their stars' faith in the new direction of the organization.
It remains to be seen if Justin Fields can lead a winning team for a full NFL season, but the Jets are putting a rocky past in the rearview mirror. Glenn is a well-respected culture builder who will immediately improve New York's defense and elevate spirits in the locker room. The bad taste of the Aaron Rodgers era is gone. This is a Jets team with plenty of core talent and a lot of justified optimism moving forward. No fanbase deserves this more than New York.
That said...
Sauce Gardner's new deal comes with a warning for Jets fans
Last season was a step in the wrong direction for Gardner. His production dipped across the board and he was left off the Pro Bowl roster for the first time in his brief career.
It's hard to really blame anyone for the disaster of last season, aside from Rodgers and ownership. But Gardner was less effective in pass coverage and generally less involved in the defensive game plan. That's not to say he can't bounce back in a better situation — in fact, it's a smart bet — but there is a lot riding on that redemption arc. If Gardner continues to slip, New York will be on the hook for half a decade with a contract that significant impedes their flexibility elsewhere.
Gardner carries himself with immense confidence and his spunky attitude is a much-needed live wire of energy for the Jets locker room. But he needs to back up this contract on the field. If he does not, Jets fans will go from celebrating to wallowing in a familiar angst in record time.