Jets Pro Bowler Provides Contract Update: 'I Feel Pretty Good'

The New York Jets are navigating a pivotal offseason, with contract extension discussions taking center stage.

The team is coming off a challenging 2024 campaign, finishing with a 5-12 record, but optimism surrounds the organization under new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.

The Jets are focused on building around their young talent, particularly those from their stellar 2022 draft class, which has already produced multiple Pro Bowlers and award winners.

Among these rising stars is a two-time All-Pro cornerback, widely regarded as one of the league’s premier defensive backs. Selected fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati, this 24-year-old has been a cornerstone of the Jets’ defense, earning the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and consistently shutting down opposing receivers.

Despite a 2024 season that saw some criticism for tackling issues and a dip in turnovers, with only one interception and nine passes defended in 15 games, he remains a critical piece of the Jets’ future. Yes, we are talking about Sauce Gardner.

During Thursday’s minicamp, Gardner provided an update on his contract extension talks, expressing optimism.

“My team and the Jets have been talking and, you know, I feel pretty good about how the talks have been going,” he said, per Jets Wire’s Nick Wojton.

When pressed about whether he aims to become the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, Gardner remained coy, stating, “I don’t want to get into the numbers," per Wojton.

The Jets have already exercised Gardner's fifth-year option, securing him through 2026 at $20.2 million, but both sides appear motivated to finalize a long-term deal before training camp in late July.