The New York Jets and cornerback Sauce Gardner have agreed on a long-term deal that will make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Jets Make Sauce Gardner Highest Paid Cornerback
The Jets have now signed their two biggest stars to paydays, having signed wide receiver Garrett Wilson to an extension Monday and now getting Gardner done today. Gardner and the Jets agreed on a four-year $120.4 million deal. His deal averages out to $30.1 million a year.
Gardner’s deal tops draft mate Derek Stingley Jr’s contract, who signed earlier this offseason. Stingley’s deal averages out to $30 million, so Gardner was able to slightly beat that average. It was anticipated that Gardner would surpass Stingley’s deal soon after Stingley’s was announced. In his short career, Gardner has shown himself to be one of the best cornerbacks in the game. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year, has been a two-time First-Team All-Pro, and a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
The cornerback market was bound to heat up sooner rather than later, as the guys the corners have to cover were significantly making more money. Even though Gardner and Stingley are the highest-paid corners, they make $10 million less than the highest-paid wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase. Justin Jefferson is currently the second-highest-paid receiver at $35 million, which is a gap between him and the highest-paid corner.
There is plenty of great cornerback talent at the top of the league, and not only has Gardner been one of the top cornerbacks in the league since he was drafted, but he has also been one of the league’s best defensive players.
Highest Paid Cornerbacks by Average Per Year
Sauce Gardner, $30.1 million
Derek Stingley, $30 million
Jaycee Horn, $25 million
Jalen Ramsey, $24.1 million
Patrick Surtain II, $24 million
Jets Lockup Cornerstone Players
The Jets getting both Gardner and Wilson signed shows that they believe those two players will be the foundation of whatever success the Jets want to have now or in the future. Both were drafted together in 2022 and have been bright spots for a Jets team that has been underwhelming the last five seasons despite high expectations.
Statistically, Gardner had his worst season after having to deal with coaching changes from his coach and other coaches on his side of the ball. Wilson was able to remain productive despite a down year by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is now a Pittsburgh Steeler.
The outlook on the 2025 season is positive. The Jets have hired Aaron Glenn, a revered defensive coordinator from the Detroit Lions. He also hired highly regarded defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, which should be good news to Gardner and the Jets defense, as they get back on track. The Jets signed Justin Fields to play quarterback this season, a former teammate of Wilson’s at Ohio State University. It wouldn’t be surprising after earning long-term deals that this could be the best season from both Gardner and Wilson.
Gardner is already looked at as an upper-echelon defensive back, however Wilson could finally break through that top crop of wide receivers this season with a good showing.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
