New York Jets fans are eager to see their team lock up two of its cornerstones for the long haul, Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson.
All has been quiet regarding extension talks, though – until now.
Speaking to Jets X-Factor’s Connor Long on “The Jake Asman Show,” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed that the Jets have already made contract offers to Gardner and Wilson.
“From what I’ve heard, they’ve at least had some initial talks and made some sort of contract offer for these two players,” Fowler said. “Asking around, that is my expectation, that they’ve at least gotten that far. Where that leads, or if that leads to anything, I don’t know.”
Fowler said he thinks the Jets are making an attempt to get deals done for Gardner and Wilson before their prices spike in another year, but is unclear whether that will actually happen.
“I do think the Jets are going to follow through on their plans to at least try [to get something done before the season].”
Gardner, who has already earned two first-team All-Pro appearances in three NFL seasons, is likely seeking to become the highest-paid player at his position, or at least close to it. That distinction currently belongs to fellow 2022 first-rounder Derek Stingley Jr., who signed a three-year, $90 million deal with the Houston Texans in March. Stingley leads the position in average annual value ($30 million) and total guarantees ($89 million).
Stingley outperformed Gardner in 2024, earning first-team All-Pro honors while Gardner had a down year (although he was much better than many believe). Stingley is also a better ball hawk than Gardner, boasting 11 career interceptions to Gardner’s three. However, Gardner has a stronger three-year body of work in terms of accolades and coverage production. He has also been more durable, playing 11 more games.
Gardner has a reasonable argument to match or exceed Stingley’s deal. The Jets’ new regime will have to decide whether they believe strongly enough in Gardner to hand him such a lofty contract.
While Wilson will not earn the richest deal for wide receivers, he could still push for one of the most lucrative deals at the position. In March, D.K. Metcalf reset the wide receiver market when he signed a four-year, $132 million extension ($80 million guaranteed) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is the fourth-largest deal at the position in terms of average annual value, and the sixth-largest in terms of total guarantees.
Metcalf’s deal will be a critical reference point for Wilson and his camp. Over the past three seasons, Wilson (279/3249/14 in 51 games) and Metcalf (222/3154/19 in 48 games) have comparable stat lines. Wilson is also three years younger and has dealt with significantly worse quarterback play.
Given that comparison, it is easy to see why Wilson and the Jets may be at an impasse.
If you’re Wilson, why shouldn’t you push to exceed Metcalf’s contract? But if you’re the Jets, knowing the limitations in Wilson’s game despite his gaudy counting stats, it is difficult to justify paying him over $33 million per year – a top-four salary at the position – before he’s truly proven himself to be even a top-10 wideout in the league.
It is great news for Jets fans to hear that the team is making an effort to extend two of its best players, but it seems there is still plenty of work to be done before anything is imminent.
