New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey made some of his first public comments to the press since he joined the team back in January. Speaking at the NFL’s owners meeting, Mougey provided insight on several topics, including the Jets’ free agency strategy and the expectations for quarterback Justin Fields.
One of the biggest takeaways from the first-year GM’s availability was his response when asked about wide receiver Garrett Wilson’s extension.
”We have several players, whether it’s early extensions or just players that we can extend in the last year, and those are good problems to have.
“Those are good discussions to have right now. But right now, my focus is on the draft. Once we get through the draft, we’ll talk about potential extensions for whoever that might be.”
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that extension talks for cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker are on hold until after the 2025 NFL draft.
It is not the news that most Jets fans were hoping for.
When Mougey joined the Jets, one of the biggest tasks given to him was to lock up the Jets’ core players. He acted quickly, signing impending free agent linebacker Jamien Sherwood to a deal worth $15 million annually. However, he chose to wait on extending the players under contract through 2025. It is a decision that may prove costly.
Rapidly rising salary caps are causing markets to explode
At this point, extending Gardner will certainly break the bank for New York, as the cornerback market has been completely reset in the past year. In July 2024, the highest-paid cornerback made $21 million annually. That number has skyrocketed to $30 million following Derek Stingley’s record-breaking extension earlier this month.
The wide receiver market was pushed further by Ja’Marr Chase’s extension, with an average value of $40.25 million. More relevant to Garrett Wilson are the extensions of DK Metcalf ($33 million) and Tee Higgins ($28.75 million).
Then there’s Alijah Vera-Tucker’s looming extension. While he’s received less focus than the aforementioned two players, his extension is arguably the most urgent. Vera-Tucker is a free agent after the 2024 season, which he will play on his fifth-year option with a cap hit of $15.3 million (ninth-highest among guards in 2025).
After missing 22 of 34 possible games from 2022-24, Vera-Tucker had a career year, playing 15 games and finishing as PFF’s 10th-best guard. While his injury concerns are valid, Vera-Tucker has consistently been the Jets’ best lineman when on the field.
Extension urgency has fizzled after a record-breaking offseason
When Mougey joined the Jets, many clamored for the extensions of the faces of the franchise. Not only would it send a message, but a ballooning salary cap meant waiting would cost the Jets more money.
Now? That urgency has cooled.
With the markets already reset, another month won’t change much. At this point, there aren’t many looming extensions that would push these positions higher. Instead, Mougey is putting all his attention on the draft. With the seventh overall pick, he will have the opportunity to make his first big mark on the Jets roster.
