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Sauce Gardner's Clear Message Before Jets-Steelers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 11:40 AM ET

This offseason, Sauce Gardner inked a four-year, $120.4 million extension with the New York Jets, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.

He is on a mission to show the entire league that was money well spent, and that starts with a home Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Of course, this is also a revenge game for both sides, as the Steelers are led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who just wrapped up a two-year stint with the Jets.

Before the game, New York posted a video of Gardner making his way to the locker room, saying, "ain't too much to be said."

"ain't too much to be said" @iamSauceGardner pic.twitter.com/R4hGZYtSqh
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 7, 2025

The stakes are considerably high for each of these teams this season. New York is now under new leadership with head coach Aaron Glenn, while Pittsburgh looks to make a deep playoff run with the 41-year-old Rodgers.

It also wasn't a very clean break between the Jets and Rodgers, with the four-time MVP making it clear he felt the situation could have been handled better.

"I just flew across the country, and you could’ve told me this on the phone if we weren’t even going to have a conversation," Rodgers said when reflecting on the situation.

After replacing Rodgers with Justin Fields, who just happened to be the quarterback of the Steelers last season, the Jets are looking to prove they made the right decision by releasing the aging quarterback. On the other hand, Rodgers would undoubtedly love to stick it to his former team.

Based on Gardner's words, it's clear he knows what's at stake, and he's been tasked with being a big piece in potentially shutting down this Steelers offense.

However, he may have his hands full while guarding wide receiver DK Metcalf. After signing a four-year, $132 million extension with the Steelers, he's in a similar position as Gardner, trying to prove his worth.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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