Wealthy Cimini
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets star Sauce Gardner signed his record-setting contract Tuesday and defended himself towards critics who've urged he grew to become the NFL's highest-paid cornerback after a down season in 2024.
“I am Sauce,” Gardner mentioned on reporting day for Jets veterans. “I imply that in essentially the most humble approach. Like it doesn't matter what I do, they'll make an enormous deal out of it. I can miss a deal with. There's lots of people that miss tackles, however I simply perceive that I am me. So individuals are simply going to love blow issues out of proportion.”
Gardner mentioned he was grateful for the brand new deal — a four-year, $120.4 million extension that ties him to the Jets by means of 2030. The contract, agreed upon final Tuesday, moved him previous the Houston Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. for the highest spot on the wage chart at their place. His $30.1 million per 12 months surpassed Stingley's $30 million.
By most statistical metrics, Gardner did not carry out in addition to he did in 2022 and 2023, when he grew to become the primary cornerback to be named first-team All-Professional in every of his first two seasons.
In 2024, he was flagged for 10 penalties, greater than his first two seasons mixed. He completed forty seventh amongst cornerbacks in EPA (anticipated factors added) per goal (minimal 400 protection snaps) after rating second and thirteenth in his first two years, per Subsequent Gen Stats.
Gardner would not agree with the notion that he was off his recreation. The criticism, he mentioned, would not trouble him.
“No person's an even bigger critic of me than myself, you realize, so it isn't one thing that throws me off guard as a result of regardless that some individuals might say I am being over-hated and stuff like that, I am already so onerous on myself,” he mentioned.
Gardner, the No. 4 general choose in 2022, credited the Jets' new regime and proprietor Woody Johnson with recognizing his expertise regardless of having had solely three interceptions in three years.
“It is simply nice that the teaching employees and Mr. Johnson all believed in me as a result of, regardless of what individuals say, they watched the tape,” he mentioned. “I am certain they watch each single play for my three years. That is what helped them provide you with the concept that we will signal this man to a long-term extension.”
Gardner acknowledged that he should enhance in all areas, and he is assured that can occur within the new defensive scheme, one that can put him in additional man-to-man protection than in previous years. Extremely assured in his expertise, he mentioned, “I do know there is a flooring, however there ain't no roof. Sky is the restrict.”
Gardner mentioned he was able to comply with phrases final Monday, however he determined to attend upon listening to that broad receiver Garrett Wilson had agreed to a four-year, $130 million extension. Gardner mentioned he wished his teammate to have the highlight to himself, so he waited a day earlier than agreeing to phrases.
“We have not received many video games [and] I have never had the season that I had hoped, and for them to nonetheless are available right here and imagine in me and say, ‘Hey, we predict you might be part of the profitable aspect of this factor for years to return,' it is superior,” mentioned Wilson, the fifth highest-paid receiver.
The Jets are 19-32 within the Wilson-Gardner period, with a playoff drought that has reached 14 seasons — the league's longest lively stoop. Wilson and Gardner mentioned they need to be catalysts in flipping the franchise's fortunes.
“Enjoying significant soccer [in December and January]. That is the subsequent step,” Wilson mentioned. “That is the one step.”
