The New York Jets have continued to lock up their players as cornerback Sauce Gardner signed a significant extension to stay with the team through the 2030 season, extending from his rookie contract. This new contract extension makes Sauce Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in the National Football League. Let’s take a deeper dive into the deal and what this makes the team look like going forward.
Sauce Gardner Signs Massive Extension
It is being reported that the New York Jets have agreed on a four-year, $120.4 million extension with cornerback Sauce Gardner to keep him with the team through the 2030 season. The $30.1 million average annual value of the extension surpasses Derek Stingley Jr’s extension in March for the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Gardner has been one of the best young players in the sport as he is a two-time All-Pro, two-time Pro Bowler, and the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Sauce Gardner played 48 games in his first three seasons in the league and has posted three interceptions, 40 pass deflections, and one forced fumble. However, last season was his worst season in terms of tackling, but as a young player, he should be able to bounce back. He is the second member of the New York Jets’ 2022 draft class to get extended as they extended wide receiver Garrett Wilson on Monday.
The Gardner extension includes $80.653 million guaranteed, but similar to Wilson, there is no guaranteed money in the 2029 or 2030. It will be interesting to see how this New York Jets team looks as it is incredible to see the new regime in Gang Green locking up talent early and keeping players they have no connection to.
