New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey takes the helm at an interesting point of this roster’s potential evolution. Who stays? Who goes? Who currently lives in the gray area where it can go either way?
Although he’s intent on sorting through those questions, one of his greatest responsibilities is to extend the Jets’ young stars. Much of that focus has been on wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
Selected 10th overall three drafts ago, Wilson has been the Jets’ go-to guy on offense. He is one of only five wide receivers in NFL history to notch at least 80 receptions and 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.
While Wilson is a star, he is not the 2022 NFL draft pick who should top the contract-extension priority list. It’s a different guy.
The Jets must extend Sauce Gardner before the 2025 season commences, and the reasons are both plenty and logical.
Sauce has lived up to the hype
Considering his No. 4 overall pick status, Sauce had massive shoes to fill as the unofficial heir to Darrelle Revis. Despite Revis’ true G.O.A.T. status at the cornerback position, Sauce has managed to meet many of the high expectations bestowed on him.
In three seasons as a full-time starter, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has amassed fantastic numbers, as seen below:
- Games Played: 48 out of a possible 51
- Yards Allowed: 1,003
- Touchdowns Allowed: 3
- Interceptions: 3
- Pass Break Ups: 31
- Yards Allowed Per Snap: 0.58 (4th out of 91 CB)
- Passer Rating Allowed: 67.5 (6th out of 91 CB)
- Completion % Allowed: 50.9% (5th out of 91 CB)
Since stepping onto the field, Sauce has undeniably been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
As a rookie, his play earned him defensive player of the year votes. He also became the first cornerback to receive AP First-Team All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons since the AFL-NFL merger.
Even Sauce’s “down” year would be another cornerback’s best season. The 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Denver Broncos CB Pat Surtain II, had an even worse 2023 season before his excellent 2024 season.
Extending Sauce Gardner is a no-brainer for the Jets. Rarely does a player of his freakishly long size feature such tight-space quickness and athleticism.
However, the Jets can capitalize now and reap the benefits in 2026.
A down year and stagnant CB market
Darren Mougey and the Jets would be wise to capitalize on the 2025 offseason by extending Sauce Gardner. There are two reasons why the Jets are better off getting ahead of it, instead of waiting for 2026 or later.
First, in 2025, Sauce had an undeniably down year as compared to his already-established standard. His statistics dropped in every metric, and his early-season struggles encapsulated the Jets’ season.
However, that drop merely placed him within the 10-20 range of 91 qualified cornerbacks. He’s proven he can be the best in his first two seasons and that his floor is still top-notch despite the defense falling apart.
Second, the cornerback market has been mostly stagnant in the last three seasons.
Last summer, Pat Surtain reset the market by signing a four-year, $96 million deal ($24 million APY). This was quickly surpassed by Jalen Ramsey, who signed a contract at $24.1 million per year.
No cornerback had exceeded $21 million since Jaire Alexander’s 2022 deal. While the Jets couldn’t extend Sauce last year before the price jumped $3 million, they have the opportunity to get ahead of the market now.
Other top cornerbacks, such as Derek Stingley Jr., Trent McDuffie, and Tariq Woolen, are also eligible for extensions this offseason.
The Jets chose to wait on extending star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and it cost them.
When Quinnen was first eligible for an extension in 2022, Aaron Donald was the only defensive tackle making over $21 million. The Jets chose to wait until the summer of 2023 to pay Quinnen, and it cost them several million.
The decision to extend him becomes easier when considering the cost of his fifth-year option. After earning multiple Pro Bowls, the value is equivalent to the franchise tag of $20.9 million.
Mougey can make his mark by extending one of the best players in the NFL. Thankfully, Sauce has made his feelings known that he wants to be with the Jets long-term.
It’s time to get a deal done.
