Watch: Travis and Jason Kelce gush over Sauce Gardner

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Travis and Jason Kelce gush over Jets rookie corner Sauce Gardner

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/18/22

Sauce Gardner has emerged as one of the league's best young players only nine games into his NFL career, and Pro Bowlers Travis and Jason Kelce have taken notice.

On this week's "New Heights" podcast, the Kelce brothers gushed over the New York Jets rookie cornerback.

Travis Kelce called Gardner a "crazy athlete" before explaining how special the corner's skills are.

"Long. Quick. Can play physical. Can keep his hands on you and move his feet at the same time," Kelce said. "When you get a corner with those long arms and can play with anticipation, it's fun to watch."

Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce with some high praise for Jets CB Sauce Gardner on the @newheightshow podcast @iamSauceGardner @JasonKelce @tkelce pic.twitter.com/u1TU1UReBm
— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) November 18, 2022

Jason Kelce admitted being shocked by Gardner's sheer size, standing at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds.

"I'm like, 'Dude, this is a cornerback?'" Kelce said. "This is a man as tall as me, and his arms are long, you know what I mean? I don't know what his wingspan is, but it's big."

Kelce is right about Gardner's wingspan. According to John Pullano of the Jets' official website, Gardner's 6-foot-7 wingspan finished in the 95th percentile at last year's NFL combine and was one of the traits that attracted New York to draft him.

The Eagles All-Pro center continued his praise, surmising that if one were to "concoct a cornerback in a laboratory," Gardner would be the guy.

Kelce said the topper in making Gardner the ideal cornerback is his swagger.

"What's the dopest a-s nickname we can give a cornerback?" Kelce said. "It'd be Sauce Gardner. He's got so much swag it's ridiculous."

The No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft, Gardner has 13 pass defenses, tops in the league, not just among rookies but in the entire NFL.

Quarterbacks are averaging only 4.4 yards per target against Gardner and have completed 52.9 percent of passes thrown his way, going 27-of-51 for 226 yards and a touchdown.

Garder is tied with Michael Carter and Jordan Whitehead for second on the Jets in interceptions (2) while ranking fourth in tackles (44).

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