The NY Jets have a number of important contract extensions to prepare for in the near future, but perhaps none of them are more important than the eventual contract that will be given out to star cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Gardner has quickly established himself as one of the best defensive players in the entire NFL. The former first-round pick became the first cornerback in NFL history to be named first-team All-Pro in consecutive seasons to begin his career.
By all accounts, he’s the best cornerback in the NFL and is off to arguably the best start of any cornerback in league history. When the time comes, the Jets are going to have to pay top dollar to retain their franchise cornerstone.
Gardner is due to become extension-eligible next offseason, and he’s already thinking about his next contract. The two-time Pro Bowler joined Good Morning Football on Monday, and when the topic of Tyreek Hill’s new $30 million AAV contract came up, Gardner made it clear that he wants to get paid too.
“I’m trying to get that” were the exact words uttered by Gardner when discussing Hill’s new contract. While $30 million per year might be a bit steep given the current cornerback market, Gardner is going to receive a record-breaking deal.
Barring any unexpected setbacks, Gardner is in line to become the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. That honor currently belongs to Cleveland Browns star Denzel Ward, whose five-year, $100.5 million extension signed in 2022 was the largest deal ever given to a defensive back.
Ward currently holds the record for the most guarantees on a cornerback contract as well with $71.25 million. Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is the current highest-paid cornerback by average annual value at $21 million per year.
Gardner is expected to surpass all of those numbers by a hefty margin.
Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton projected a five-year, $110 million contract with $75 million in guarantees for Gardner this past offseason. It’s possible those numbers could rise even higher if Gardner puts together another outstanding season.
The Jets should be motivated to get a deal done with Gardner as soon as possible. The goal should be to get ahead of the market, ideally reaching an agreement before the Denver Broncos extend Patrick Surtain II.
Gardner is a franchise cornerstone and a once-in-a-generation talent. He has a chance to become one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history if he continues on his current trajectory. That’s not someone you mess around with. You pay him what he’s worth.
The Jets will have other extensions to worry about, namely players like Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson, Michael Carter II, etc., but Gardner should be their top priority. He wants to get paid — the Jets should make sure it happens.
