Jets' Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner prioritizing huge goals after signing extensions

The New York Jets took care of two of their young stars when they locked wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner down via lucrative contract extensions before Jets players reported for training camp. 

On Tuesday, both Wilson and Gardner revealed their goals after inking their deals. 

"Playing meaningful football," Wilson said, as shared by Tom Hanslin of SNY. "I feel like I've said that a few times this offseason because that's the question I've been getting asked. You said the 'next thing,' but that's the only thing. I feel like I haven't done anything. It's playing meaningful football, that's all."

Both Wilson and Gardner earned Rookie of the Year honors for the 2022 season, but neither has played in a plethora of meaningful football games as pros. They've endured three straight losing campaigns, the most recent of which featured the in-season firings of head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas as the 2024 Jets went 5-12.

A new Jets regime led by general manager Darren Mougey and first-time head coach Aaron Glenn was nevertheless able to convince Wilson to accept a four-year, $130M extension. Meanwhile, Gardner agreed to a four-year, $120.4M deal. 

"It meant a lot to have that level of security, so I could just go out there and make plays," Gardner said on Tuesday, according to Hanslin. "I feel like it complements the new regime and coaching staff. They're going to put me and the rest of us in positions to make plays...Me and Garrett were talking, saying how we've got to compete and make it seem like we're underpaid still."

Those running the Jets seemingly hope that free-agency signing Justin Fields, Wilson's college teammate at Ohio State, will prove to be an upgrade at quarterback over what Aaron Rodgers gave the club last season. Outsiders understandably are skeptical considering neither the Chicago Bears nor Pittsburgh Steelers viewed Fields, a 2021 first-round draft pick, as a long-term answer at the position. 

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Jets at +120 betting odds to notch over 6.5 wins during the upcoming season. On Tuesday, Wilson indicated he's ignoring such forecasts early into training camp. 

"Playing in December and January when it matters, when you're playing for something, and going out and making plays," Wilson continued. "That's the next step. All the rest of the stuff will take care of itself...I feel really good about the way we went about [extension talks]. It's exciting for us, for me...Let's go make it look like you're underpaid or something. Go ball out."

Gardner added that he believes the Jets "have everything that it takes to win games and win a lot of games" this season. He and his teammates will look to back such talk up when the Jets open the regular season with a home game against the previously mentioned Rodgers and the Steelers on Sept. 7.