What massive deals for young stars mean for Jets

Gardner was given first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his first two years in the league. When targeted, Gardner let up a 62.7 passer rating in his rookie season and a rating of 80.3 in 2023. He has a total of 181 tackles and three interceptions. While his interception number is lower than expected, he led the league in passes defensed as a rookie (20). 

While Gardner's 2024 season was a disappointment, with just one interception and 36 solo tackles, the Jets have ensured that a key piece of their defense will continue to anchor the team.

Gardner wasn't the only Jet from the class of 2022 to re-sign with the team this week. Wide receiver Garett Wilson became the fifth-highest-paid receiver in the league after agreeing to a four-year, $130M contract extension on Monday. 

Wilson's 2024 went better than Gardner's, finishing with a career-high 101 receptions, 1,104 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Of course, this didn't help the Jets much as they ended last year 5-12, firing former head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas along the way. 

However, re-signing Wilson and Gardner ahead of any potential contract standoffs is wise business from new GM Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. Usually, the Jets are no strangers to contract controversy right before training camp. For example, it was just last season that defensive end Hassan Reddick held out for over six months due to a contract dispute. 

The Jets acquired Reddick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to bolster their pass rush. Instead, Reddick didn't show up for work until October and had demanded a trade before training camp. Now, Reddick is off the team and playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year contract. Luckily for the Jets, these new contracts should keep Wilson and Gardner away from similar drama.

Further, if the Jets are going to have a chance at turning their franchise's fortunes around, it'll come down to ensuring key talent remains on the team. With the ill-fated Aaron Rodgers experiment at quarterback being replaced with a stopgap measure in Justin Fields, the Jets' outlook at the most important position in football is murky. However, having the right signal-caller doesn't matter much if he has no one to throw to or a defense that can't stop opposing offenses. 

By investing in Gardner and Wilson for the prime of their careers, the team is building a sound infrastructure, something that isn't often associated with them. Regardless, it'll be on the Jets to make the most of the time their star players have on the roster; otherwise, it'll just go down as more wasted potential.