With all the uncertainty surrounding the New York Jets, one key player is on board for the transition.
Sauce Gardner has spent Black Monday retweeting various X posts about contract extensions or his 2024 statistics. The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt asked him about wanting a new contract.
Gardner responded that he’ll leave the contract discussions up to his agent. However, he expressed his desire to be with the Jets for a long time and wanting to be part of the “change.”
He added that it would be “hard to stomach” if he went elsewhere and the Jets turned the organization around, saying he would become “the No. 1 hater.”
Considering the speculation that Garrett Wilson might ask for a trade, Gardner’s stated desire to remain with the Jets could be reassuring for fans. That being said, coming off a still-solid but down year by his standards, Gardner may not receive the contract he desires this offseason.
Notable stars like Micah Parsons and Ja’Marr Chase did not receive contract extensions after their third year in the NFL. Although it is the first year they are eligible, it is not a given that all players worthy of an extension will receive one at that point.
On the flip side, locking up Gardner now would likely reduce the cost of the extension. The Jets must decide whether they are comfortable enough with Gardner’s 2024 performance level to commit to such a deal.
Either way, Gardner’s commitment to the team seems unquestioned as of now.
