'This Only the Beginning' — Sauce Gardner speaks out after signing landmark $120m Jets contract

The New York Jets have locked down one of their cornerstone defenders, as All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner has reportedly agreed to a blockbuster 4-year, $120.4 million contract extension, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.

The deal sets a new benchmark, making Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in league history. Already under contract with over $25.4 million guaranteed from his rookie deal, the extension tacks on $60 million in new guaranteed money.

Gardner’s payday arrives just 48 hours after the Jets handed fellow star Garrett Wilson a four-year, $130 million extension, with $90 million guaranteed — a clear signal the franchise is going all-in to secure its young core for the long haul.

It's a bold statement of intent from New York, who just days earlier locked in Garrett Wilson with a long-term deal on July 14. The Jets took Wilson in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the same year they landed Sauce Gardner, and now both cornerstone pieces are tied down.

Securing Gardner's future gives the Jets a defensive anchor for years to come, as they look to turn the page on yet another rebuilding chapter. While the offense has struggled for rhythm during Gardner's time in green, the defense has remained one of the league’s most reliable units.

Gardner has made it clear he’s all in on New York, and his long-term commitment signals that he sees something worth building here. Now, it's up to the front office to deliver. Locking in one of the game’s elite corners is a major win but if the Jets want to shift from promise to playoff-caliber, this has to be just the beginning.

Sauce Gardner was the first to share the news himself, taking to X to express his gratitude. In the post, he gave a heartfelt shoutout to his agents and thanked Jets fans for sticking by him throughout his journey with the team.

Through his first three seasons in the Big Apple, Sauce Gardner has racked up 181 tackles, three interceptions, and six tackles for loss — all while cementing himself as one of the league’s premier defensive backs. The accolades speak for themselves: 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year, back-to-back First Team All-Pro selections, and two Pro Bowl nods in as many years.

But despite Gardner’s elite production, team success has been hard to come by. The Jets have stumbled to a 19-32 record during his tenure, continuing a frustrating drought that’s seen them miss the playoffs every year since 2010 and fail to post a winning record since going 10-6 in 2015.

Looking ahead to 2025, change is in the air. New head coach Aaron Glenn, formerly the defensive coordinator in Detroit, has been tasked with steering the ship in a new direction. The hope in New York is that Gardner’s brilliance, and Glenn’s leadership, can finally spark a long-awaited turnaround.