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Wealthy Cimini
One other day, one other main contract extension for the New York Jets.
Twenty-four hours after reaching a long-term contract extension with large receiver Garrett Wilson, the Jets rewarded star cornerback Sauce Gardner with a record-setting contract — a four-year, $120.4 million extension, sources mentioned Tuesday.
The contract contains $85.653 million assured, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The 2-time All-Professional turns into the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, based mostly on common wage per 12 months ($30.1 million). He surpasses Houston Texans star Derek Stingley Jr., who acquired a three-year, $90 million extension in March. Stingley was drafted third general in 2022, one spot forward of Gardner.
Gardner posted to X, “this solely the start,” and thanked his brother, Allante Gardner, and AJ Vaynerchuk, who characterize him, and the Jets and their followers.
THE DEAL IS DONE📝 this solely the start. my brother @allantegardner bts & @ajv received it achieved. I respect the Jets group for believing in me, my teammates for the blood, sweat, & tears we put in, and JETS NATION… I respect y’all supporting me💚 Thanks GOD🥀 pic.twitter.com/1qsiT3Xga3
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 15, 2025
Sauce Gardner had two years remaining on his rookie contract, together with his fifth-year possibility in 2026 ($20.2 million assured).
The Jets have now secured two foundational gamers by 2030, taking a proactive method seldom seen with previous stars within the franchise’s historical past. Gardner and Wilson turned the primary two former first-round picks beneath the NFL’s present monetary system, which went into impact in 2011, to obtain extensions of their first 12 months of eligibility (after three years).
Gardner turns into the primary Jets participant since linebacker C.J. Mosley to be the best paid within the league at his respective place. In 2019, Mosley signed a five-year, $85 million contract as a free agent. His $17 million-a-year common held the highest spot amongst off-ball linebackers for 4 months.
Gardner, 24, made it clear on the latest minicamp that he wished to stay with the Jets long run.
“I need to change the group,” he mentioned. “I need to be part of altering the group.”
The Jets’ new regime, headed by coach Aaron Glenn and common supervisor Darren Mougey, said from the outset that its aim was to maintain the highest younger gamers, one thing pasts regimes have didn’t do.
Gardner made a right away affect, capturing NFL Defensive Rookie of the 12 months honors in 2022. He is the one cornerback because the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to be named first-team All-Professional in every of his first two seasons. Solely two different defensive gamers have pulled that off: former New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor and Dallas Cowboys go rusher Micah Parsons.
As a rookie, Gardner ranked No. 2 amongst cornerbacks in EPA (Anticipated Factors Added)/per goal as the closest defender (minimal: 400 protection snaps), per Subsequent Gen Stats. He slipped to thirteenth in 2023 and forty seventh in 2024.