The New York Jets have officially announced their six team captains for the 2025 NFL season. The list features quarterback Justin Fields, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, linebacker Jamien Sherwood, and special teams standout Marcelino McCrary-Ball. It’s a diverse group that reflects a blend of experience, positional balance, and respected leadership across all three phases of the game.
But as the team’s new leadership core takes shape under head coach Aaron Glenn, one name is surprisingly absent: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. Why could this be? Usually, a team’s star player is amongst one of the captains, but clearly that isn’t always the case. Let’s take a look into why that may be.
Jets Name Six Leaders for 2025—But Sauce Gardner Isn’t One
A Leadership Core Without Its Star Corner
Gardner has quickly become one of the league’s most dominant defensive players since entering the NFL. He’s already earned multiple All-Pro selections and Pro Bowl honors and is widely considered a cornerstone of the Jets’ defense. Yet, despite his elite performance and star power, Gardner was not chosen as a captain for the upcoming season. Is this a knock on his leadership style, or is it more of a new coaching staff feeling differently about other players?
The decision doesn’t seem to reflect any doubt about his abilities. Rather, it appears to be part of a broader leadership strategy that favors vocal presence, team-first mentality, and representation across the roster. Based on who was selected, it seems like the coaching staff made an emphasis on picking players who are key contributors to each level of the game.
Quarterback, offensive line, receiver, defensive line, linebacker, and then last but not least, a special teams specialist. That fills the void of all six spots the team had. With only six captain slots available, Glenn and the Jets made their decisions based on spacing out the different position groups. There doesn’t seem to be any doubt about Sauce being a good teammate or leader.
Who Made the Cut And Why
On offense, Fields earns the captain title in his first season with the team, signaling the staff’s trust in his leadership potential as the starting quarterback. Quarterbacks are usually the captains of the team, being the head leader for the entire group. It’s good to see Fields getting that recognition with this being his first year with the team. Wilson, entering his third season, has been a model of consistency and effort. Vera-Tucker, meanwhile, represents toughness and quiet leadership on the offensive line, acting as one of the veterans on that side of the ball at this point in his career.
Defensively, Williams continues to be the anchor up front and the only returning captain from the 2024 season. Sherwood’s inclusion may surprise some people, but inside the building, there was no surprise with this call, as he is loved by every player and coach. McCrary-Ball rounds out the group, bringing a special teams presence to the leadership table, which is something the Jets clearly value.
Sauce’s Absence: A Matter of Philosophy, Not Talent
Gardner’s exclusion doesn’t appear to be a knock on his commitment or character. By all accounts, he remains one of the most respected players in the locker room. He hasn’t been vocal about this decision of him not being named a captain, but rather showing support. Captaincy has more that comes with it than just on-field performance, which he clearly has. It includes mentorship, leading meetings, setting the tone during adversity, and being the voice of the team behind closed doors. Nobody on the outside looking in can say they know everything behind the scenes of how the team operates.
Head coach Aaron Glenn seems to have leaned into a balanced leadership approach. Each selected captain brings something different to the table. He seemed to get a little bit of everything, ranging from experience, vocal leadership, quiet professionalism, or emotional intensity. Going off of that context, Gardner’s omission seems to be more of the coach’s preference than a personal decision. In fact, let’s not forget Sauce was very calm about how he wanted an extension. He didn’t sit out, demand a trade, etc. He did what he needed to do and the team rewarded him earlier in his rookie deal than other teams might’ve done. That sounds like a leader to me.
Looking Ahead
Gardner’s future as a leader on this team is far from in question. He remains a core player and will undoubtedly continue to set the standard on the field. He just signed that extension recently, so he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
While he may not have the “C” on his jersey this season, his influence within the organization is still undeniable, and this doesn’t mean he won’t be a captain in the near future. He has plenty of time to attain this feat.
Coach Glenn thinks the world of Sauce, but for now, the Jets move forward with a new-look leadership group, eager to set a fresh tone under new coaching. And Gardner, as always, will be leading—whether it’s official or not.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
